Comfort me with waffles

I don't relate to the Song of Solomon line, "Comfort me with apples." (and title of a Ruth Reichl book) Perhaps in the warm afternoons of September, I would feel comforted by an apple. But on a cold and rainy day, that apple would have to be baked and served with brown sugar and cream.
I am waiting for summer. Spring is carrying on with rain and chilled evenings. The farmers markets are in full force, but I am still feeling the need to bundle up and eat comfort food. I bought a beautiful artichoke and some lovely little brussel sprouts at the grocery. I roasted the brussel sprouts with eggplant and topped with basil and peanut sauce. (from Mai's in Newport, Oregon) Soon enough I'll be ready for crisp radishes and fresh green salads, but in the meantime...
Last week, my sister's boyfriend made a fantastic chili (photo at bottom). He wowed us with stew a few months ago. This rendition had tender chunks of beef, kidney and black beans, multiple veggies, and a nicely spiced tomato base. He cooked it on low for 12 hours. He apologized for using canned beans. I have very few friends that know how (or bother) to soak and cook beans, so no apology necessary. 

When I studied in Austria, my host family bought milk directly from the dairy. We drove up to a dispenser, put in some coins, and out poured milk, straight into our canister. Josh lives two blocks from a dairy, but this is no rural operation. No cows in sight. Everything comes and goes in big trucks and tankers. You can't even buy a carton at the facility. However, at the grocery down the road, I bought some of their buttermilk and we made some dandy waffles, topped with glazed bananas and maple syrup.

Belgian Buttermilk Waffles with Glazed Bananas Gourmet, June 2005 

  For waffles

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups well-shaken buttermilk
• 3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
• 2 large eggs
• Vegetable oil for waffle iron

For topping

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 firm-ripe large bananas, cut diagonally into 1/3-inch-thick slices
• 1 1/4 cups pure maple syrup

Make waffles: Put oven rack in middle position and put a large metal cooling rack directly on it. Preheat oven to 250°F and preheat waffle iron.

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

Whisk together buttermilk, melted butter, and eggs in another bowl, then whisk into flour mixture until just combined.

Brush hot waffle iron lightly with vegetable oil and pour a slightly rounded 1/2 cup of batter into each waffle mold (see cooks' note, below). Cook waffles according to manufacturer's instructions until golden and cooked through, about 3 minutes. Transfer as cooked to rack in oven to keep warm, keeping waffles in 1 layer to stay crisp. Make more waffles in same manner.

Make topping: While last batch is cooking, heat butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then add banana slices in 1 layer and cook until golden, about 1 minute per side. Remove from heat and add syrup to skillet.

Spoon bananas over waffles, then drizzle with warm syrup before serving.

Chili photo, as mentioned: