This blog post is sponsored by iHerb but as always, the opinions and experiences expressed in this post are my own.

My dad is a tough one to spoil. He never asks for anything, rarely complains, and never seems to want anything beyond his means. Gracefully, graciously, he’ll accept gifts when the occasion mandates such an exchange, but he genuinely means it when he says, “you shouldn’t have.” For a man who deserves so much, he sure is impossible to shop for.

The best presents come from the heart, of course, and that’s synonymous with the kitchen, as far as I’m concerned. My dad would never turn down any of my crazy creations, no matter his preferences or appetite, but for Father’s Day, I wanted to make something he would genuinely enjoy.

Further complicating matters, grocery shopping just isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the carefree days of popping into the nearest store to pick up a few things. If it can’t be ordered online, it pretty much can’t be on the menu. Thank goodness for iHerb, supplying both the basics and more specialized superfoods and delicacies.

It’s one-stop shopping for all things vegan and beyond. Unlike other online marketplaces, iHerb clearly labels and categorizes all of their goods by dietary needs, so you can search specifically for items that are plant-based, gluten-free, soy-free, and so much more, separately or all together if needed! Considering that there are literally thousands of vegan products to choose from, that eliminates the typical search frustration of scrolling through blurry pictures of labels, giving you exactly what you need. Orders are shipped to over 150 countries straight from climate-controlled distribution centers, ensuring the quality of their products. You’ll never receive expired goods, in sharp contrast to the gamble you sometimes take when purchasing from massive, multichannel online retailers. If there are ever any concerns, you can email or chat online with a real person 24 hours a day 7 days a week, speaking 10 different languages, too!

In case you forgot about Father’s Day until the last minute, don’t panic. You can get next-day, no-contact delivery without sweating over shortages or strange substitutions. iHerb even has the accoutrements covered; buy yourself some extra time by brewing up a quick beverage to slowly sip, savoring the company of The World’s Best Dad while breakfast is cooking. For me, that means instant iced coffee using Mount Hagen for a quick fix, and Twinings Cold Brewed Peach Iced Tea for him.

Recalling lazy weekends and leisurely mornings, the ultimate breakfast treat was a plateful of fluffy waffles, lavished with enough maple syrup to make a sapling weep. Only Real, Organic, Grade A Maple Syrup would make the cut here, because that quality makes a difference you can taste. Sticky and satisfied, we’d roll away from the table ready to take on the day.

Folding those memories into an even more decadent treat, such a celebration calls for something even more special. Flaky pastry meets the resounding crunch of crisp Eden Foods Pistachios and Bergin Fruit and Nut Company Almonds in my dad’s favorite dessert, baklava, now fit for “the most important meal of the day.” Sandwiched between two slabs of puff pastry, the nutty mixture is perfumed with aromatic Simply Organic Celyon Cinnamon and enriched with  Nutiva Butter-Flavored Coconut Oil, a thousand gossamer-thin layers rising to the occasion not in the oven, but in the waffle iron.

These delicate, shatteringly crisp sheets are designed to hold onto golden, honeyed syrup, infused with floral essence of Heritage Rosewater and subtly acidic edge of True Lemon Crystals. Each pocket unleashes a river of the sweet stuff, sure to appease even the most extreme nectarous cravings.

While you could serve baklava waffles for dessert instead, why not indulge a little bit? If your dad is even half as supportive, patient, loving, and good natured as mine, surely, he deserves it.

To you and yours, from me and mine, Happy Father’s Day!

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Yield: Makes 5 - 6 Servings

Baklava Waffles

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Gossamer-thin layers of puff pastry rise to the occasion in a hot waffle iron, pressed with pockets to better hold floral infused maple syrup. Sweetly spiced pitachios and almonds are sandwiched in the center for a truly decadent exprience you can indulge in at breakfast time.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

Honeyed Maple Syrup:

• 1 Cup Now Foods Grade A Maple Syrup
• 2 Tablespoons Water
• 2 Teaspoons True Lemon Crystallized Lemon Juice
• 1/2 Teaspoon Heritage Rosewater
• 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Baklava Filling:

• 1/2 Cup Now Foods Raw Almond Flour
• 1/2 Cup Bergin Fruit and Nut Company Almonds, Roughly Chopped
• 1/2 Cup Eden Foods Pistachios, Roughly Chopped
• 1/2 Cup Navitas Organics Coconut Palm Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Ginger People Crystallized Ginger, Finely Minced
• 2 Teaspoons Simply Organic Ceylon Cinnamon
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 Cup Nutiva Butter-Flavored Coconut Oil, Melted

To Assemble:

• 1 (17-Ounce) Package Vegan Puff Pastry, Thawed

Instructions

1. Begin by preparing the syrup, so it has time to cool. Simply combine the maple syrup, water, lemon crystals, rosewater, and vanilla in a medium saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 1 minute and turn off the heat. Let cool to room temperature.
2. For the filling, place the almond meal, chopped almonds and pistachios, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir to thoroughly combine. Drizzle with the melted coconut oil and toss to incorporate, making sure everything is well coated and moistened.
3. Heat your waffle maker and get out your puff pastry. A box typically comes with two sheets in it, so keep one sheet covered with a lightly moistened towel in a cool place while you work with the other. The last thing you want is for it to dry out!
4. Unfold one sheet of pastry and roll it out gently to smooth any creases. Cut it into squares or rectangles to fit the size of your waffle iron. If you have a round model, you can also use a bowl of a comparable
   size as a template.
5. Place about 2 – 3 tablespoons the filling in the center of half of the cut pieces, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Lightly brush water around the edges and place a second piece of pastry on top. Crimp the edges to
   seal in the filling.
6. Place one filled pastry pocket inside the waffle maker at a time, and cook until golden brown and puffed; about 5 to 6 minutes each, depending on your equipment. Repeat for the remaining waffles.
7. Serve immediately while hot and crisp, topped with syrup, as desired.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 559Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 319mgCarbohydrates: 175gFiber: 6gSugar: 152gProtein: 9g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimates.