Gourmet Maple Waffles

The Waffles

• 8.8 oz all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons maple sugar, grated
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 3 egg whites, whisked into peaks
• 2 oz strong cheddar (l’Île aux Grues), grated
• 2 oz prosciutto, julienned

The Topping

• 2 pears, peeled, cored, quartered
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 sprig of rosemary
• 3/4 cup maple syrup (preferably golden, for its delicate taste)

1. In a bowl, combine flour, maple sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. In another receptacle, combine the melted butter, buttermilk, and eggs. Slowly add this second mixture to the first, then incorporate the peaked whites, grated cheddar, and julienned prosciutto. Bake in waffle iron.
3. Sauté the pears in the butter and add the rosemary.
4. Finish cooking with the maple syrup.
5. Avoid over-cooking to keep some crunch in the pears.
6. Pour topping over waffles.