Deliciously Wholesome Oat-Lentil Waffles

1 cup dry lentils                               
3 cups rolled oats                           
3 t. baking powder    
3 T. brown sugar
1/4 t. salt                     

4 cups water
1/4 cup vegetable oil

In blender, grind lentils to make flour.* Add oats, baking powder, sugar,  and salt, and blend until fine flour mixture. Add water and oil. Blend until well mixed. Mixture will thicken as it sits. If desired, let sit for a few minutes then  blend again. Add water if necessary for consistency. Pour into oiled and heated waffle iron.

*Blender must be completely dry- so lentils pulverize into a powder. Note that this recipe is large for a regular blender. Try making 1/2 of the recipe if you are not using a powerful blender such as Vitamix.

Split peas, lentils, and white beans all make great waffles. Substitute  any of these; lentils grind well in regular blenders; white beans are harder to grind, but powerful blender(ie Vitamix) or coffee grinder do satisfactory.The original recipe these waffles evolved from uses garbanzo bean flour. See post "Garbanzo-Oat Waffles."

Garbanzo beans give the  creamiest and lightest texture of the bean-oat combos  I've tried. But home-grinding  lentils is so much more economical and practical for me, and  I do like the nutty-like flavor of the lentils. I also like the wholesome texture.

We enjoy waffles several times a week. This is probably the most utilized recipe I have! I make a big batch at a time and place waffles on a cooling rack as they're done. After breakfast, I put extra waffles into a gallon-size freezer bag and freeze. During the week, I can just gently microwave the waffles to reheat them(it takes just a few seconds). You can also place them directly into a toaster.

Toppings

Fruit puree is great on top(applesauce, nectarine, pear sauce, strawberry, prune puree). These fruit purees may be made when the fruits are peak season and on sale, then stored in the freezer. Just blend  fruit, add liquid if needed to puree, and thicken with fruit jel(modified cornstarch) if desired. Some fruits need an acid added to prevent from browning. Orange juice or lemon juice goes great with peach puree.

Fruit puree is extra special when topped with fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, and coconut. 

Apple juice syrup is another topping we enjoy. Simply drizzling the waffles with honey is another thing we often do, especially for waffles on the go(for lunch away from home).