Coconut Macadamia Banana Waffles - A taste of Aloha

Dreams of swaying palms, warm ocean waters and light tropical breezes constantly fill my head and become my happy place when I'm in need of a lift.  A tropical girl at heart yet stuck on the mainland, my husband and I have made San Diego our home and every once in a while we can almost feel a Hawaiian influence around town.

That same husband was lucky enough to actually feel my beloved warm, soft and tropical Hawaiian breezes last week as he "worked".  Yes... flying that big huge airplane all the way across the big huge ocean to find that teeny tiny island is actually work.  So much so, he says, that that is why he and his hard working co-pilot received 2 full 20 hour layovers to "rest", one on the Big Island and the other downtown in Waikiki.  I actually think it has something to do with flight scheduling... but we'll let him have his hard work fantasy.

With images such as this one:

King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel

And this one:

View from Chuck's Steakhouse, Waikiki

arriving frequently by text message,  I got the Island Fever... and I got it bad.

Intense and pure jealousy flowed through me as I received 10 minute updates on his meal at my Favorite Kona Brewing Company on the Big Island while he dined on my cherished Strawberry Spinach Salad with Island Macadamia Nuts sprinkled lightly on top (I'll spare you that photo message).  The next day he enjoyed views of Waikiki beach while dining on a fillet at Chucks, just over Dukes, as they watched the sun dip into the calm Pacific.

While he did bring me a new Kona Brewing Company water bottle, I couldn't help but be just a bit envious of his "work" last week.  Heading to the internet, I immediately started researching Bed and Breakfast locations on the Island of Kauai.  Settling on a lovely vacation rental property with panoramic views my next thought was about the breakfast part of the deal.  With no real description on the website I turned to Tripadvisor reviews and found that the breakfast at this bed and breakfast is lacking.  While the property is indeed spectacular, the breakfast included a basket containing instant Quaker Oatmeal and a sleeve of store bought bagels.  So disappointing, and potentially disappointing enough to have me stay elsewhere (in my vacation dream).

Pulling staples out of my Hawaiian stocked pantry, Liv and I set to putting together our own version of what a proper bed and breakfast would serve.  Luckily, our day was sunny with light breezes as we mixed a basic banana waffle batter.  Enhancing with coconut was a no brainier and then topping with additional bananas, toasted coconut and chopped macadamia nuts brought the islands to us.  The Liv Life Bed and Breakfast proudly serves Coco-Mac Banana Waffles with fresh tropical juices and Kona coffee.

Oh... that traveling husband?  I'm not so jealous anymore... this morning he is dining at a cheesy buffet in a hotel in Fresno before heading to Rockford, Illinois.  I think I'll stick with San Diego.

Coco-Mac Banana Waffles

a little taste of the islands in your own kitchen.

Created by Liv Life

printer friendly

1 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or your favorite whole grain mix - we rotate with whole wheat, oat and spelt flours)

3 Tbs ground flax meal

1 Tbs baking powder

14 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional - Liv likes it)

Pinch nutmeg

2-4 Tbs unsweetened coconut*** (sometimes we toast it) (If you have sweetened I'm sure that would be fine too)

2 Tbs brown sugar

1 1/2 cups milk (or milk alternative - we use rice milk)

3 Tbs canola oil

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 egg yolks, lightly beaten

1/2 banana mashed

2 egg whites

1 to 1 1/2 bananas chopped

additional chopped banana, toasted coconut and chopped macadamia nuts to garnish

In a large mixing bowl combine the flours, flax, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, pinch of nutmeg and coconut.  Whisk to combine, then set aside.

In a medium bowl combine the milk, oil, vanilla, egg yolks and mashed banana.  Whisk to combine.  Set aside.

In a small bowl whisk the egg whites until medium peaks form (may use a mixer, but a whisk will give yours arms a little work out).

Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and whisk just until almost combined (8-10 full whisks).  Add the whipped egg whites and chopped bananas and fold the whites and bananas into the mixture.

Pour scoops of the prepared batter into your waffle maker following your maker's instructions and cook do desired brownness.

Serve with maple syrup and additional chopped bananas, toasted coconut and chopped macadamia nuts for a true tropical treat.

Aloha!

*** Liv Life Note:  Liv is not super fond of strong coconut flavors, as such we used 2 Tbs of coconut in the batter.  Add additional coconut for a more pronounced flavor, or even substitute coconut oil for the canola oil.

San Diego, CA.   I'll take it...