ITALIAN WAFFLES

Oh . . . Rhodes Rolls . . . I think I love you!

Seriously, they make life really easy.

I will be blunt though – They are not as good as my own homemade rolls – but close.

Rhodes rolls comes up with fabulous ways to use their dough.

When I saw their idea for Italian Waffles, I knew I must try it.

 . . . and I did.

I even ate one while it was hot, cheesy and gooey!

It’s a scone type waffle . . . yummy.

I also made my homemade Pizza Sauce to dip the waffle in.

These Italian Waffles should be considered a gourmet sandwich.  The recipe calls for mini pepperonis . . . which I would love, but I didn’t have any on hand.  I did have some nice lean thick sliced ham though.  I doctored it up slightly by turning it into . . . Brown Sugar Glazed ham!  YUM. 

I also grated Sharp Cheddar and Pepper Jack Cheese, and mixed in Parmesan cheese.  That combination alone, is quite tasty.  I had a hard time keeping my fingers out of the bowl!  You could fill these waffle scones with virtually anything.  To be quite honest, I was worried about my Waffle iron.  I really didn’t want to mess it up!  I didn’t.  It popped right out, just like a normal waffle would.  Honest.  The little bit of cheese that did ooze out, was chewy goodness.

~

Let’s make them together:

Just thaw a few frozen Rhodes rolls to room temperature. 

Note:  (If you are like me . . . You don’t always think ahead!  I simply spray a platter with cooking spray, and lay out as many frozen dough balls as I need.  Spray a piece of plastic wrap, and cover the frozen balls.  Make sure that you don’t have any open areas.  Place the plate in the microwave on DEFROST.  Every microwave is different, I set mine for about 4 minutes on Defrost.  You don’t want warm balls.  They should still have a chill on them, but not frozen anymore. Now you are ready in a flash. 

You will need the following Characters:

I wanted to put a Brown Sugar glaze on my ham, as well as make Homemade Pizza Sauce.  If you are using pepperoni slices and bottled sauce . . . begin right away. 

Otherwise . . .

Simply melt some butter and a bit of Olive Oil in a skillet, over medium heat. Guess what . . . I bought new pots and pans, but I can’t bear to use them yet.  New pans are so beautiful, so I’ll just stare at them a while longer and continue using my old beat up pots & pans!

Add the ham pieces to the heated skillet.  Now add a tablespoon or two of Brown Sugar.

I also sprinkle Onion powder or minced onion flakes over the top.

Continue to toss the ham around until the sauce thickens and is like Caramel that coats the ham.  Oh yum!

Prepare your other ingredients:

The recipe calls for 1 Rhodes roll, that you flatten to a 5″ or 6″ circle.

The other is for the top. 

*I could see right away, that it would leave them too thin – that’s my opinion though!

I quickly grabbed another thawed roll, and rolled out 2 rolls together.

Look close . . . You can tell I’m rolling another roll of dough into my previous circle.

Take about 1/3 cup of cheese & herb mixture and place it in the center of the dough.

Place the glazed ham or pepperoni or sausage, etc . . . on top of the cheese.

Now . . . dip your pastry brush or fingers into a small bowl of water, and go around the outer edges of the circle.

Place your 2nd circle –  that is slightly larger than the bottom, and lay it over the top.

Seal the edges well.  I also crimped my edges with a fork.

Remember . . . I didn’t want to mess up my waffle iron!

Lay that circle in the middle of your preheated waffle iron

Close the lid . . . and pray.

Please Dear Lord . . . Don’t let everything ooze out!

Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes . . . or until Golden brown on the top and the bottom.

. . . My heart was pounding rapidly as I opened the lid.

Walla!

They are quite loverly!

I sprinkled more Parmesan in the crevices while it was piping hot.

I can also see me doing these in the future with Bacon!

or

Make some dessert waffles with jam, nutella, pie filling and pour maple syrup over the top.

Or simply dust with confectioners sugar.

Oh . .  the possibilities are endless.

I also made these for Dinner tonight.

Parmesan Knots.

See . . . They are simply irresistible.

Go here to see how to make Parmesan knots.

ITALIAN WAFFLES

*adapted from Rhodes Rolls

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

12 Rhodes™ Dinner Rolls, thawed to room temperature
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
pepperoni minis
pizza sauce

Directions:

note:  (I used 2 regular size Rhodes rolls for the bottom circle and 2 more for the top circle, to make a 5″ or 6″ circle.  You can make little mini ones however with 1 roll for the top and 1 roll for the bottom.  In other words, if you want to make 6 good size waffles, you will need 24 Rhodes Dinner rolls, thawed.

Spray counter lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Flatten each roll into a 5-6 inch circle. In a medium bowl, combine cheeses, basil, oregano and pepper flakes. Place about 1/3 cup cheese mixture in the middle of 6 of the dough circles. Brush edges of dough with water. Place remaining 6 dough circles over the cheese filling. Press edges together to seal and place in the center of a waffle iron heated to medium heat. Cook for about 2 minutes. Serve with warm pizza sauce.

My favorite Homemade Pizza Sauce