Spicy BBQ Sweet Potato Waffles

Don’t freak out.

I know, you must think I’m an incredibly disturbed human being to put barbecue sauce in waffles.  But these aren’t regular waffles.  These are sweet potato waffles. Spicy sweet potato waffles with barbecue sauce.  Or something like that.

We’re not boring here, people.  It’s party time.

You may think I’ve been slacking off with the blogging, and that would be true.  I do have excuses, but do I really need to tell you?

I didn’t think so.  You’re the best.

Barbecue sauce goes with sweet potatoes, doesn’t it?  Who am I kidding.  What doesn’t go with barbecue sauce?  Oh right, a mixture of delicious chili peppers, said no one ever.

These particular fireballs offer their own flavor, but when blended together deliver this sweet, paprika-smelling, citrus-tasting, fruity and spicy mix that’s off the charts.  The three very stylish chili peppers you see here are locally grown by a (monopoly) bearded man living in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.  Lovely place, it is.

Among raising chickens, chili peppers and gardening beds, it even has an outdoor shower.

I know.  Shut the front door right now.  But then go have some waffles.

Spicy BBQ Sweet Potato Waffles

adapted from Mashed Potato Jalapeño Cheddar Waffles

(yields 4-6 servings)

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 large egg

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cups sweet potatoes, mashed

a few tablespoons orange juice

1/2 cup BBQ sauce

1 Aji Omnicolor chili pepper

1 Aji Brazilian Starfish chili pepper

1 Belleno Sweet Ecuador chili pepper

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

waffle iron

PREPARATION:

Melt butter in a medium microwavable bowl for 20 seconds.  Whisk in milk and egg until thoroughly combined.  Stir in barbecue sauce.

Add the mashed sweet potatoes and a splash of orange juice together in a blender.  Add various chili peppers (stems cut off) and process until chiles are sautéed (can always substitute your chili pepper of choice).  Pour into milk mixture.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder.  Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.  Use a spoon to mix the batter until all  is thoroughly combined.

Heat a waffle iron and coat with nonstick spray.

Pour batter (about a half cup per waffle) onto the waffle iron – the amount of time depends on your waffle iron.  Remove waffles from the iron and serve warm with maple syrup.