Ingredients

  • 1 cup store-bought pesto
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 bulbs fennel, ends trimmed, split and cored, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • 1 large white onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1/2 cup roasted pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup green olives, sliced
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 8 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
  • Nonstick spray

Method

  • Special equipment: waffle iron
  • Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F and prepare a cookie sheet with a cooling rack on top.
  • For the pesto: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
  • For the fennel: In a large saute pan over medium heat, add the olive oil, fennel, garlic and onions.
  • Cook until the onions and fennel are browned and caramelized, about 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Stir in the spinach, set aside or place in the oven to keep warm.
  • For the tapenade: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
  • For the waffles: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda.
  • Add in the beaten eggs, buttermilk, butter and herbs.
  • Stir all until well combined.
  • Spray the waffle iron with nonstick spray.
  • Pour about 1 cup batter into the preheated waffle iron and cook the waffle according to the waffle maker's instructions.
  • As each waffle is cooked, place it onto the prepared rack in the oven to keep warm.
  • To assemble the waffles: Place 1 waffle on a warmed plate.
  • Top with couple of tablespoons of the pesto and some caramelized fennel.
  • Top with another waffle, more pesto and the tapenade.
  • Top with another waffle, more pesto, fennel and tapenade.
  • Top with another waffle.
  • Place a toothpick to hold into place.
  • Cut into 4 pieces and serve immediately.