Pulled pork, mango salsa, smoked salmon: Indian chefs are busy changing the way you think about waffles

With a crispy exterior, fluffy interior and ability to be versatile and adapt with any kinds of toppings and fillings while also being able to be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner, makes waffles unique. Add the grid pattern to the mix and enjoying the Belgian treat is nothing short of an experience because it allows you to immerse yourself in some theatrics. If you are eating it at a restaurant, the server helps you load them with syrup and toppings like fresh fruits and berries of your choice. Sometimes they also simply let you take the DIY approach as you go about like Ratatouille's Linguini guided by an invisible Remy to make the dish just the way you want.

Over the years, the classic maple syrup has been substituted with chocolate syrups of different kinds and even fruits that you would have never imagined before. It gets better because savoury waffles are becoming more popular than before, showcasing how much the humble dish made popular by Belgium has now transcended to be uniquely showcased in Mumbai and Indian restaurants.

Every year, International Waffle Day is observed on March 25 to celebrate the Belgian dish, that has managed to hold everybody's attention over many decades. Interestingly, the dish has evolved in many ways over the years and Indian chefs have also taken the opportunity to get into the kitchen and turn the traditional waffle into something new, as the well-travelled diner wants to experience the world on his plate.

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Evolution of waffles
Nelson Alphonse Fernandes, executive pastry chef at Westin Powai, has seen this change occur over the years and believes it has been influenced by the need for something new and every person's personal needs. Mumbai-based chef Jehan Aden confirms as he has seen waffles in Mumbai undergo a transformation with a variety of toppings and fillings, ranging from traditional sweet flavours to innovative savoury combinations.

In Goa, chefs Pramod Joshi and Shubham Chitrakar have seen waffles go from the traditional flat beds to waffle cones, sandwiches and pizzas emerging as creative culinary uses of waffle batter are being explored. "There has been a shift towards healthier waffle recipes incorporating whole grains, alternative flours and less sugar," adds Chitrakar.

With more and more people focusing on the healthy aspect in their food, making delicious waffles healthy is an important part of its evolution that many may scoff about but is much needed, and chef Aden is one of them who has taken a step in that direction. The executive sous chef at Seven Kitchens, The St. Regis Mumbai, and his team, has not only managed to bring in the savoury flavours to their waffles but also made it healthy. At the restaurant, they serve healthy waffles and what he likes to call an "indulgent waffle". Aden explains, "The healthy variant includes a banana oats waffle topped with fresh berries and honey, and a whole wheat beetroot waffle topped with avocado and a poached egg." On the other hand, the indulgent waffles are loaded. The restaurant serves a delicious Belgian chocolate waffle with rich chocolate and nuts, and a decadent caramel waffle topped with stewed fruits and banana ice cream, making it a complete treat.

Going savoury
The fact that the dish lets you do that every single time is what makes it even more interesting, as you can pair it with anything depending on your preference and it can change into something totally new depending how much you add to achieve a unique taste due to the intermingling of flavours on the waffle and that has also given different types of savoury waffles, among other types, that he has seen over time. Fernandes explains, "Waffles are way beyond being sweet things. They have versatility and can be made as either a sweet or savoury base and have that crispy crust appeal. I have seen people making waffle pizzas, waffle cakes, waffle sandwiches, waffle shakes and waffle ice creams. Waffles can be of any personality."

Beyond the flavours, Fernandes says the texture is what makes the Belgian delight special. So, it is no wonder when he tells us that they serve not one but six different varieties of waffles at the five-star property in the Lake View Café. He shares, "We make the traditional waffles with maple syrup, but also make brownie-based waffles, waffles with cream and compote, stewed fruits and waffle, strawberry and cream waffles, and banana maple waffle toast too." While the traditional one is for those who like the classics, the others are for the diner who wants to experiment with different kinds of flavours.

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Exploring waffles in Goa
In Goa, Chitrakar at Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa in Candolim, has also been taking the liberty to innovate with a variety of toppings that are not just sweet or savoury but a combination of both. He shares, "At the bakery, we make waffles with goat cheese and fig compote or caramalised apples and cinnamon. They are consumed fast when freshly made by kids and adults too." Such a demand for waffles with unique toppings has also led them to take it a step further and showcase their culinary prowess with something like a waffle. While people may think how much is there to innovative with the simple breakfast dish, it can be served in many different ways with a touch of more savoury than guests would imagine but are perfectly balanced, when relished as a complete meal. "To add tropical twist for freshness and flavour, we have experimented with and found mango salsa to be quite favourable among our guests. So has been pulled pork with barbeque sauce as well as smoked salmon and cream cheese," explains Chitrakar.

Even Joshi, associated with Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, who has been toying around with the toppings used for waffles, believes the dish has evolved to now become a phenomenon. He observes, "It has gone beyond the sweet variety as there are equal takers for savoury waffles like pulled jackfruit and vegan cheese a plant-based alternative to pulled pork or Korean inspired kimchi and fried egg topping for a flavourful experience." As he eases his diners into eating waffles, he makes sure that they are familiar flavours but yet a new experience that is definitely worth a try. "We keep experimenting with waffles, its ingredients and toppings. From feta cheese and honey to marshmallow fluff and crushed graham crackers to showcase a playful take on s'mores and curating them with seasonal produce with cultural blend," shares Joshi, indicating how the dish, which owes its name to its honeycomb shape, has managed to become ‘glocal' as it makes its way through the streets and onto the dining tables of Indians today.