Kramer and I are huge Parks and Recreation fans; everything about that show is incredible. All of the characters are so well done, and most importantly, Leslie Knope is the most positive female figure on television right now. She’s strong, she’s independent, she knows what she wants, and she’s not afraid to eat! I love hearing her rave about her love of food and rant about her hatred of salads – she is truly a woman after my own heart (and Kramer’s too). Therefore, I decided to pay tribute to the goddess that is Leslie Knope (and, in turn, the lovely and influential Amy Poehler) with some JJ’s Diner inspired Belgian waffles. As JJ once said about Leslie, “[She’s] my best customer. [She] spent over a thousand dollars last year on waffles alone.” JJ’s Diner is Leslie’s favorite restaurant, and she always orders waffles with extra, extra whipped cream whenever she goes. I like to think that JJ makes waffles almost identical to these, and the secret to their deliciousness lies in a simple twist: browned butter. They add a bit of depth to your ordinary Belgian waffle, but I suppose that any waffle is irresistible with plenty of maple syrup, fruit, and whipped cream on top. Kramer and I can’t wait to make these again and again, in honor of our favorite politician, Miss Leslie Knope.





A few words of wisdom from our friend Leslie Knope.



Brown your butter, then whisk it together with the yeast, sugar, warm water, flour, milk, and eggs. Allow to sit overnight at room temperature.



Whisk together the eggs and baking soda, then whisk them into your batter.



Add your batter to your heated waffle maker, and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions.



I cooked my waffles for about 3 minutes each.



Serve with plenty of your favorite toppings.



Oh yeah, that’s the stuff.

