Boards are one of my favourite ways to serve a variety of food while also allowing people to build their own plates, portions and flavour combinations. This brunch board is incredibly easy to make, personalize and is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. The star of the board are banana waffles, which I give the recipe for below.
Pro tip: Use a board that is the appropriate size for the amount of people you are serving. Pre-cut all of your fruit before you start cooking your hot ingredients, to cut down the assembling time in order to keep the hot ingredients warm. BAKE YOUR BACON. I cook my bacon in the oven, it is less messy compared to stovetop, and it ensures an even cook.To avoid your waffles from getting soggy, avoid stacking on top of eachother while cooking.
Substitutions: this board can easily be made vegetarian or vegan by substituting ingredients, such as oat milk instead of dairy milk for the waffles and turkey bacon or tempeh bacon instead of pork bacon. Substitute any fruit or veggie on the board.
Ingredients
Banana waffles
2 over-ripe medium sized bananas, mashed
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
Sprinkle of salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil at room temperature (I used canola, but you can use any).
3/4 cup milk (lukewarm - warm up in microwaves for 30 seconds).
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. cinnamon (optional).
Rest of the board
1 pack of bacon (I prefer maple smoked)
1 cup of sliced strawberries
1/3 cup maple syrup
Banana slices (from 1 banana)
Serves up to 6 people
Requires
Waffle maker (I have a mini one)
Baking sheet (or stovetop saucepan)
Small bowl or ramekin
Whisk
Mixing bowls (2-3)
Serving board
Directions
Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Place bacon on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, until desired cook is attained.
To make banana waffles, combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and cinnamon (optional), in a large bowl. Set aside. In another mixing bowl, combine mashed bananas with milk, oil, egg and vanilla extract. Whisk until combined. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and whisk until combined. Some lumps may remain- that is okay. Do not over mix. Pour waffle batter onto heated waffle iron. Remove once golden brown and waffle maker is steaming. Repeat until desired, keep waffles warm in the oven (optional). Top with banana slices.
Place maple syrup (and any other desired toppings) in a small bowl or ramekin.
Arrange your board. (For everything you need to know about boards, see my Boards 101 piece).
Enjoy!