Jacqueline Kennedy's Waffles (and pssst, they are DELICIOUS!)

We have a lot of politicians in our lives, their posters line our streets, their flyers in our mailboxes. And speaking of politics, this recipe comes straight from American politics of yesteryear. Jackie Kennedy's waffles come from "Many Happy Returns: The Democrat's Cook Book, or How to Cook a G.O.P. Goose," compiled and edited by Ethel Longstreet & Olga Marcus. And do you know what? They're WONDERFUL.

Jacqueline is said to have regularly made them for her children. If I go for a waffle, it's usually a Liege waffle. Call it my devotion to caramel and butter that makes me choose this thick, chewy waffle with a caramelised exterior. But I've now got another love when I feel like something a bit lighter. It's these waffles. They are incredibly light and crispy edged yet tender on the inside. The waffle batter is aerated by the use of egg whites that are then mixed in with a cake type of batter. Yet the resulting waffle is neither eggy or cakey, it's simply perfection. Sorry, that sounded like a politician's "trust me" didn't it? But unlike a politician's promise the proof is more tangible, it's in the waffle and you can taste it for yourself.

I recently had an embarrassing situation when I met someone famous. It wasn't a politician, it was a radio DJ. I was at an event and it was very dark. He looked familiar but I couldn't place the face and I assumed that it was someone from a publication I had seen before. When he asked me how I was involved with the event, I explained that I was a food and travel blogger. He clinked his glass with mine and smiled conspiratorially. So I said t him, "Oh are you a blogger too?". Still smiling he answered "Errr no...," and before he could answer we were called into for the start of the event.

When I saw the name cards on the table, I realised who he was (also the light helped). He was one half of a famous radio duo and I had seen their billboads all over Sydney while driving. He was perfectly pleasant and friendly even when I didn't recognise him. I guess that can happen when you're more recognised for your voice! And you know what? I can't help but think of these fantastic waffles whenever I think of Jacqueline Kennedy!

So tell me Dear Reader, are you good at recognising famous people? I'm hopeless at sportspeople in particular! Who is your favourite radio personality or team? Are you a fan of retro or historical recipes?

Jackie Kennedy's Waffles

Makes 4 round waffles

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 5 minutes

• 113g/1stick butter at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 2 egg whites, stiffly beaten
• 1 cup cake flour*
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 fat pinch salt
• 1 cup buttermilk (just add a few tablespoons of lime/lemon juice or vinegar to milk to sour it)
• Non stick oil spray

Step 1 - Whisk the cake flour and salt in a jug and set aside. Whisk the butter and the 1 tablespoon of sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks one at a time beating well after each addition. Then on the lowest speed or by hand, add in the flour mixture alternating with the buttermilk a little at a time. It will look lumpy with butter and quite honestly I thought this would be a fail. They are meant to be thick. This mixture can be done anytime but when you want to bake them add the baking powder and fold in stiffly beaten egg whites.

Step 2 - Heat a waffle iron until hot (about 180C/350F). Spray the iron with non stick oil spray and add a ladle full of the batter mix. It will fill the cavities about 3/4 of the way to the edge. When you press down and flip it over it will fill out to the edge. Cook for 1 minute or so and then remove using a eggflip. It is light and crispy and so good when eaten fresh from the iron with some cream, syrup and fruit. Repeat with the remaining batter.