Jaffle - what is it and how to make one.

I had someone comment on another article I'd written, asking "What exactly is a jaffle?"

Since I grew up with jaffles and they are one of my favourite quick and easy foods, I just had to answer that question as thoroughly as I could.

A jaffle is toasted sandwich traditionally made in a jaffle iron - a type of closed metal skillet. A fresh sandwich is enclosed in the jaffle iron and then the jaffle iron is placed either on a stove or in a camp fire. The resulting sandwich is sealed around the edges and the original ingredients in the sandwich are deliciously cooked and melted.

If you want to buy a jaffle maker, click here. If you want to learn more about jaffles and how to make them, read on.

Almost anything that you'd put in a normal sandwich is great in a jaffle. However here are some of my favourites:

►Tinned or leftover pasta or spaghetti.

►Tomato and cheese.

►Tofu and tomato.

►Apple and cinnamon.

You may have noticed above that not all jaffle ingredients are savoury. Since the sandwich is sealed by the end of the cooking process, the resulting jaffle is similar to a pie - and everyone likes a sweet pie!

Jaffle is traditionally an Australian term. In other countries similar items are known as toasted sandwiches, toasties, hot sandwiches and panini.

A jaffle iron is a metal skillet with wooden handles. It is opened by pulling the handles apart and inserting a sandwich. The handles are then pulled back together closing the jaffle maker. There's usually a metal hook to hold the sandwich and seal the jaffle maker tightly. Excess crust and bread is cut away once the jaffle maker is sealed.

Jaffle makers are available in both square and round versions.

These days there are also electronic jaffle makers available.

* Jaffle triangles by  avlxyz