About

Cost: $ $ $ $ $

Difficulty: • • • • •

Time: 30 mins

What Would Leslie Knope Eat?
Cheddar Cornbread Waffles, with Green Tomato - Sweet Corn Salad
As fellow neurotic, over-achieving, Midwestern perfectionists, there is no character on TV closer to our hearts than Leslie Knope. She’s the plucky, hyper-organized basket case we someday hope to be, and she is our dream dinner party guest. When scheming to come up with a recipe inspired by her (and the rest of the cast at Parks and Rec) there was only one answer:
Waffles.

Our Cheddar Cornbread Waffles, with Green Tomato - Sweet Corn salad, topped with runny eggs and Buttermilk-Thyme Dressing, push Leslie’s favorite Whipped-Cream-Covered-Belgians from JJ’s to a whole new level. Taking advantage of the gorgeous produce we’d expect to see around Pawnee, we made a savory dish that, from food snob Tom to calzone-crazy Ben, every member of the Parks department would enjoy. Not to ignore her trademark sweet tooth, a side of Candied Bacon adds a shot of sugar and enough porky, salty, smokey goodness to put a smile on Ron Swanson’s face.

Posted by Rachel A. • Published 2nd January 2014 • See Rachel A.'s 7 projects »

Print • Embed

Cat Morley added Cheddar Cornbread Waffles, With Green Tomato Sweet Corn Salad to Recipes to try 08 Feb 18:19
Cat Morley favorited Cheddar Cornbread Waffles, With Green Tomato Sweet Corn Salad 08 Feb 18:19
Cat Morley commented on Cheddar Cornbread Waffles, With Green Tomato Sweet Corn Salad 08 Feb 18:19
Jessi D. added Cheddar Cornbread Waffles, With Green Tomato Sweet Corn Salad to Tasty 23 Dec 00:21
Stephanie W. favorited Cheddar Cornbread Waffles, With Green Tomato Sweet Corn Salad 14 Apr 20:43
Jessica D. favorited Cheddar Cornbread Waffles, With Green Tomato Sweet Corn Salad 09 Jan 17:15
heather r. added Cheddar Cornbread Waffles, With Green Tomato Sweet Corn Salad to Food Items to make 07 Jan 20:32
KelliDroze added Cheddar Cornbread Waffles, With Green Tomato Sweet Corn Salad to Food 03 Jan 07:37
Rachel A. published her project Cheddar Cornbread Waffles, With Green Tomato Sweet Corn Salad 21 Nov 19:36

Step 1
Cheddar Cornbread Waffle
1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1 Tbsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

2 eggs

1 cup whole milk

2 tbsp Olive Oil

1 cup aged Cheddar Cheese, shredded.

Cooking Spray

Turn your Waffle Iron on, using the instructions that came with it and some common sense. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Beat together the Egg, Milk, and Olive Oil, and pour into the dry ingredients. Gently fold until you don’t see any more powdery streaks, and add the cheddar. Cook the waffles until golden brown, using cooking spray in between each waffle.

Top with Green Tomato - Sweet Corn Salad, Buttermilk Thyme dressing, and a perfect Sunny Side Up Egg.

Green Tomato - Sweet Corn Salad

1 Green Tomato

a handfull of ripe Cherry Tomatoes

2 ears Sweet Corn

1 tbsp Olive Oil

Salt and plenty of Black Pepper

Roughly chop the Green Tomatoes (being sure to discard the bitter seeds) and Cherry Tomatoes. Quickly blanch the Sweet Corn and cut away from the ear. Toss with the Tomatoes, Olive Oil, Salt (to taste), and plenty of Black Pepper.

Buttermilk Thyme Dressing

¼ cup Buttermilk

¼ cup Mayonnaise

1 tsp fresh Thyme, gently bruised

1 tbsp Cider Vinegar

Salt and Black Pepper (to taste)

Stick it in a jar and shake it like you’re getting paid. It’s not rocket surgery, kids.

Candied Bacon
1 package Bacon; thick cut is a must, applewood smoked is a plus
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp Dry Mustard
2 tsp Black Pepper
a pinch Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Preheat your oven to 350°.
Prepare a baking sheet or roasting pan with a rack or a layer of parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the Brown Sugar and spices. Toss in each slice of Bacon with the Sugar mixture, being careful to thoroughly cover each piece.
Carefully arrange the Bacon, in a single layer, on your baking sheet and roast until golden brown and delicious.