Banana Chocolate Chip Waffles

Yum!  I was going through some old recipes the other day and stumbled on a bunch from Jessica Seinfeld and decided to try them.  Since the holidays I have been struggling to get enough fruit and vegetables in my daily diet so I was trying to find new ways to work them in.  This recipe has a whole banana, two carrots and crushed dark chocolate chunks for extra antioxidants. 

*Tip: I freeze bananas when they are ripe to have ready for recipes like this. 

Banana Chocolate-Chip Waffles

Serves 4

1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3 TBSP canola oil
2 large egg whites
1/2 cup lowfat buttermilk
1/2 cup carrot puree
1 ripe banana mashed
2 TBSP dark chocolate chips
cooking spray

Preheat a waffle iron on high.  In a large bowl or zipper-lock plastic bag, mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  In another large bowl, beat the oil, egg whites, buttermilk, carrot puree and banana with an electric mixer.  Mix on low speed for 1 minute or until smooth.  Stir in the chocolate chips. 

Add the flour mixture.  Stir with a wooden spoon until just combined--the batter will be lumpy.  Coat the waffle iron with cooking spray.  Ladle 1/8 to 1/4 cup of batter into each compartment of the iron.  Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes or until the waffles are lightly browned.  Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts: 1 waffle
298 calories
14g fat
2g saturated fat
40g carbs
7g protein
62mg calcium
2mg iron
565mg sodium