Waffles
By Hal Thompson
The waffle is amazing.
When looking over the breakfast pantheon, it is impossible not to dwell on such an incredible item of consumption. Here is possibly one of the most overlooked creations of the Middle Ages. Its simple yet intricate design has no doubt kept it a staple among kitchen favorites since its emergence on the carts of medieval vendors.
But enough about the past of this early morning delight. I will now focus on the modern waffle. Through the revelation of mass production, the waffle has undergone numerous changes since its humble beginnings on the streets of Europe. We now have waffles that can be slipped into a toaster and ready to eat in a matter of seconds.
Efficient, yes, but let us not forget the charm of the handmade waffle. Surely anyone who has ever eaten a Denny's or Perkins' waffle will concur with my saying it is, indeed, the greatest of all breakfast foods.
Maybe you have even gone so far as to make a waffle with your own hands. If so, congratulations. For most of us, this is no small task. However, once that first bite is placed upon the tongue, it all becomes worth it.
Extraordinarily, though, the waffle's versatility doesn't stop there. You may think that you've reached breakfast nirvana when a newly grilled waffle is set before you. But oh, no, my friends, the best is still to come. Not only do butter and syrup call the golden surface of the waffle home, but so do a myriad of other condiments.
For those who prefer to begin their day on a nutritious note, a legion of fruits can provide that extra zest to the waffle. Banana slices, blueberries and strawberries are just the start of the many colors your waffle can take on. And for the sweet-toothed, powdered sugar or chocolate chips can add that boost required for waking up.
There is no question that when it comes to breakfast, waffles are by far the best choice. Even their shape holds superior to the lesser forms of this meal. The waffle's plentiful crevasses provide storage for whatever you wish to splay across its veneer. The little compartments keep the melted butter or sticky syrup from spilling over the edges so that not a fragment of flavor is left forgotten on the plate.
It is said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If that is true, doesn't it make sense to choose your breakfast wisely?
Make no mistake, there will be those who will try and deter you from making the correct decision. They may defame the name of the waffle by telling you that it isn't as healthy as the omelet. But don't listen to them. If they wish to delude themselves, let them. You know the truth.
So whether you're waiting patiently for that toaster to ping, or whether you're having trouble deciding between the Belgian or the Scandinavian, don't forget to be thankful for the simple pleasure that is a waffle: the best part of waking up. Besides Folgers.
Omelets
By Maggie Olson
Every morning, I have a routine. I roll out of bed, get dressed, put my contacts in, try to get my hair into some sort of order, brush my teeth,and then, usually, go to class. And after all that, my friends, I eat an omelet.
This is not just any omelet. It is a delicious, handcrafted culinary masterpiece, laced with vegetables, meat and cheese, woven through the fluffiest of eggs, nestled on a plate, emanating steam and the kind of smell that would make a vegan convert. It is a Peg omelet.
For those of you who aren't familiar with the friendly, smiley woman who supplies custom omelets to hungry students every morning, you need to know that Peg's omelets are the best omelets around. An omelet from Peg has the same special taste as every homemade dinner from Mom, the made-with-love flavor that sticks to your ribs and keeps your body going all day long.
Augustana students who choose mass-produced waffles or pancakes over one of her omelets are, to put it lightly, misguided individuals.
But regardless of who makes them, omelets are the ultimate breakfast food, based on taste and nutritional value.
The other traditional breakfast foods, like waffles or pancakes, only satisfy one segment of the food pyramid. While they can be chock-full of whole grains and carbohydrates, these concoctions are a meager attempt to supply the body with nutrients.
Omelets, on the other hand, can fulfill almost the entire pyramid. Eggs alone satisfy the meats group, and adding vegetables and cheese (and fruits, if you believe tomatoes qualify) only make it better.
My standard omelet is comprised of eggs, shredded cheddar cheese, ham, sausage and a huge pile of spinach. That means that I get a hearty dose of protein, vitamins A and C, calcium and iron in one omelet.
The case has been made. The affectionately created, highly nutritional omelets are an all-around trump card compared to bland, generic grain products in terms of health and taste, soaring beyond the competition as they sizzle wonderfully in their pans.
Tomorrow morning, head for the omelet line. You won't regret it.
And I'll see you there.
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