Friday, April 27, 2007

The Penguin Parade

Penguin Waffles- Woodles

A group of penguins is usually referred to as a colony of penguins. Although, when they are breeding, their colony turns into a rookery or a peguinery. When they are floating out at sea, they are then a raft of penguins. When they are on land they are a waddle of penguins. And other times they are referred to as a parcel and sometimes a huddle. So then, what is the collective noun for a group of penguin waffles?

I personally am quite amused by the phrase "a waddle of penguins", but for this instance I am calling this particular breed a parade of penguins. Quite adorable is this parade, and to think that they are meant for eating seems almost a sacrilege. But now that a collective noun has been established for these new breed of penguins, that neither swim nor waddle, I can get onto explaining what exactly waffles have to do with penguins.

Penguin Waffles

It all started while rummaging through an old cupboard that held all of mum's old Mother's Day presents. Yes, she has such a thing, a stockpile of all the unusable presents we gave her as children. You know the kind of presents that mum gets from her kids that she really can't do anything with but simply nod and smile in appreciation of her children's inherent thoughtfulness- no matter how unpractical. In this secret hoard are things like potpourri, bath oils, foot spas, hair crimpers, an endless amount of trinkets and more cosmetics than you could poke a stick at.

So while going through this mass of "junk" I came across this Sunbeam Waffle iron called Woodles. Woodles makes waffles in the shape of penguins and creates a depression in the belly of the penguin where ice cream can be scooped into. The contraption is sheer novelty and sheer genius! Well every childish sensibility in me was tickled by the very idea of Woodles. So I decided that since my mother could find no use for it, that I would take it for myself. Neither she or I could remember when she received this present, although all we know is that my sister gave it to her, probably in the vain hope that mum would start making these woodles for her. She never did.

Penguin Waffles with Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

But not to worry, years later, I have found a great use for it and will hopefully revive this poor creature's popularity. For me most of its appeal comes in that indentation in the penguin's stomach that makes room for ice cream. It's a great example of culinary design and engineering and who knew it could be found in a penguin's physique.

These waffles are a variation of Heidi's Sour Cream Waffles only instead of sour cream I used buttermilk. I decided to do this upon happening on some nearly overdue buttermilk in my fridge. Better that they be used to make waffles than never to be used at all and end up in the rubbish heap. The buttermilk lends to a denser and slightly tangy waffle, which I think is a great contrast to the sweetness of the ice cream and maple syrup.

Penguin cross section

Obviously, this recipe can be made regardless whether or not you own your very own peguin waffle maker, although the novelty of having your waffles in the shape of a penguin is worth shelling out the $30 for one. Mother's Day is coming up, perhaps your mother, unlike mine will appreciate the childish fancies of having one.

Buttermilk Penguin Waffles
adapted from this recipe
makes 10 penguins

Woodles

1¾ cups plain all-purpose flour
1 tbsp caster sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
a pinch of salt
1½ cup buttermilk
3 large eggs
100g unsalted butter, melted
maple syrup and vanilla bean ice cream to serve

Preheat and lightly grease waffle iron.
In a large bowl sift in flour, sugar, baking powder and salt and make a well in the centre.
Whisk in the buttermilk, eggs and melted butter until the flour is just incorporated. Make sure you do not over mix.
Spoon batter onto the centre of the waffle iron and close the iron.
Cook for 3-4 minutes until the waffles are golden brown.
Serve the waffles with a drizzling of maple syrup and vanilla ice cream.

38 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh my...i simply adore these!!! Wish I could get my hands on one of the waffle maker. But I'm in singapore. =(

anna/village vegan said...

Those are SO adorable. Now I want my very own penguin mold! And penguin pancakes with ice cream....mmmm.

Anonymous said...

I don't know about my mother, but the kids would love it!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, how adorable are these, Jen! I absolutely LOVE them! They are so cute, and ingenius - leaving a place to nestle a delicious scoop of ice-cream!

Cheryl said...

I have never heard of this. That is the cutest thing ever. Love that you put ice cream in the belly.

Anonymous said...

Wow JenJen! You always have a lot of good ideas on how to make cakes more interesting. Those penguins look great and with a scoop of ice-cream... v. cute and yum! :P

mary said...

Those are so incredibly cute! What a fantastic discovery.

Anonymous said...

awesome awesome awesome! I've never seen anything like that before. Too cute! :)

Parker @
http://divinedomesticity.herhangout.com/

Cookie baker Lynn said...

So cute! What a cheerful way to start the day, with a penguin parade at the breakfast table. And with ice cream, too? Delicious!

janelle said...

Yum! Yum! Yum! Those are easily the cutest waffles I have seen. My kiddos would love them. What a great blog!

Helene said...

Now these are some cute waffles! i have never come across a waffle iron like this one but be sure I would have gotten it too...fill their bellies, fill mine too. Great shots!

Patricia Scarpin said...

These are so lovely, Jenjen!

Anita said...

Jen,
They are beyond adorable! I am totally in love with your little penguins! Btw, congrats on the mention in the paper - your beautiful site totally deserves it!

Brilynn said...

BEST EVER!
Oh man, that just made my day. I absolutely love it.

Anonymous said...

Those penguins are just too damn cute for their own good!

Erielle said...

So adorable! Before I read about the ice cream, I was imagining filling the belly with maple syrup. That would be a lot of syrup. I'm glad you used ice cream instead.

Anonymous said...

I want one and I want one now!

Too bad I'm in the US.

cheryl said...

a googled "nutella doughnuts recipe" and found my way here.

beautiful blog you have! i'm an international student in sydney and am perpetually starving because i can't cook.

i'll be visiting often in the hope that looking at your gorgeous creations will fill my empty belly.

Cheryl

Barbara said...

I'm off to try Ebay to see if I can find a Woodle.

Anonymous said...

Ahhhhhhhh, très cute. Want one for myself now, know idea whether I'll be able to track down a woddle in Paris. Don't think it's 'chic' enough for the Frenchies :(

Susan from Food Blogga said...

Simply precious!

Anonymous said...

These are the cutest!
I hope you enjoy many more! :o)

Edith said...

sooooo cute.... can't bear to eat them all.

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

I can't believe you can still buy them. These are just incredible! Really cute write up!

jasmine said...

Those are so adorable! I love the idea of a waddle of waffles....

j

Peabody said...

These are so cute....but I could never bring myself to eat one...I would feel bad for the penguin.

B said...

this is the cutest thing I have ever seen....I don't know how your mum could pack this in the cupboard....I must have one!!

Jerry said...

They look so cute! Be perfect in the winter. But how in the world do you get the penguins!

Linda said...

good lord - this is the cutest thing i've ever seem. lovely photographs.

Erin S. said...

OH MY GOD. That's truly fabulous. I can imagine a whole line of of different animals--howabout a kangaroo?

Anonymous said...

those are so cute!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow. I'm sure glad I found this! Those look so good!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful!! Hopefully my kids aren't peeking over my shoulder or we won't hear the end of "I want a Woodle!" ;-)

Anonymous said...

Aah!!! No words to describe this cuteness!!! I would so shell out 30 bucks if they sold it here! I love it :)

thisisnaive said...

The penguin with an ice-cream lump on its belly just killed me. Completely...

jacelyn: I actually saw this waffle maker in Singapore. Somewhere in Chinatown.

Anonymous said...

Hi jenjen,
I stumbled into ur blog yesterday when i was searching for a waffle maker.Fell in love with ur delicious pics of Woddles waffle. Went out to Myers immediately to get one n my kids love the cute penguin waffles we had for dessert last nite!

Becky

Pille said...

These are the cutest waffles ever! I can see making dark cocoa-waffles with it, and serving with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream:)

Katia Mangham said...

Those are the cutest little waffles- ever!! Happy New Year!