Recipe: Waffles de Chocolate

For banana and dried cherry syrup:

2 cups granulated sugar

2 cups water

8 ounces dried cherries

12 ounces bananas, sliced

2 cups maple syrup

For waffles:

3 eggs, separated

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

? cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons oil

1. To make the sauce, bring water and sugar to a simmer until it just begins to turn a light amber color. Remove from heat, add the cherries, and refrigerate overnight. The next day, drain the cherries. Put the bananas and the maple syrup into a saucepan, and when it is simmering, add the cherries. Remove from heat and serve over the waffles.

2. Separate the eggs. Beat the yolks and sugar in stand mixer until smooth and light. In a bowl, sift together the flower, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Pour the flour mixture into the egg mixture. Add the milk and oil, and beat to form a smooth paste. You may need to use a rubber spatula to completely combine everything.

2. In a new bowl, whip the egg whites until stiff. (Tip: you must use an extremely clean bowl or the whites won't firm up.) Fold about half of the batter into the whipped egg whites first, then fold the remainder into the batter with a spatula to combine. Place 4 ounces into a waffle iron and cook.

From Cuba Libre chef Guillermo Pernot

Per serving: 1,132 calories, 8 grams protein, 260 grams carbohydrates, 214 grams sugar, 12 grams fat, 141 milligrams cholesterol, 374 milligrams sodium, 4 grams dietary fiber.