This Is It

I've been on a waffle kick lately. Tis true. I can't seem to get enough of them. Whenever I'm hungry, it's what I crave. (Replacing french fries and bacon for the time being, that's no small thing.) I  recently went to the waffle window, and enjoyed what was possibly the best waffle I've consumed, to date.
It was puffy, airy, and fragrant inside, with a slight buttery crisp on the outside, accompanied by a crystallization of a few grains of sugar. Piping hot, topped with slivers of fresh basil, milky-rich brie, and three golden bronze, thick slices of pepper crusted bacon. My only regret about this waffle is that the bacon was almost too thick, making it hard to cut and a bit leathery. I tend to like the thinner kind of bacon  that crisps up easily, with lots of fat that melts easily when eaten. Regardless, this waffle was a rare thing of splendor in a tired world of eggo's and boxes of pre-made, just-add-water waffle mix. With a scoop of home made peach jam on the side.

Almost a week ago, I myself made a batch of waffles that turned  out golden brown, puffy and delicious. Since that time, I've been experimenting with the leftovers, and have found all sorts of toppings to be more than suitable. Today, though, I've used up the last, and I'm here to tell you that if you have leftover waffles and would like something to do with them, this is it.

Here's a foolproof way of heating them up, no matter which way you eat them. Butter the top side of the waffle. Sprinkle it with just a little sugar, and a pinch of kosher salt. Broil them in the toaster oven for about three minutes. I have found the toaster oven essential to my way of life currently, something I never thought I'd say. I'm sure there's an alternative to this, maybe broiling them in the oven for a few minutes.

Here's what else you're going to need to top half of a waffle:
2 slices of bacon
1/4 cup chocolate chips
3 thin slices of gruyere

While the waffle is heating and getting a toasty outer layer, cook the bacon over medium heat. Be sure to heat the pan first. Cook it for about three minutes on each side until it's medium crispy, browned nicely.
When the waffles come out of the toaster oven (or other heat source, excluding the dryer or fireplace), toss the chocolate chips on. Hopefully, they fall into the little squares. Now, add the cheese. The bacon goes on very last. Return the waffle to the toaster oven for about one minute, until the chocolate and cheese have partially melted. Let the waffle cool for just a minute, and then eat it rather rapidly. It sounds like an odd combination, but ends up being quite delicious.

Although the cheese has a rather unpleasant smell.