Ingredients

• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup pecans, toasted lightly and chopped coarse
• 2 teaspoons orange juice or fresh lemon juice
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 ripe medium banana
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• vegetable oil for brushing waffle iron

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200°F.
2. In a small saucepan bring maple syrup and pecans to a boil and stir in juice. Remove syrup from heat and keep warm, covered.
3. In a bowl whisk together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
4. Quarter banana and in a blender purée with water. Transfer purée to another bowl and whisk in eggs and melted butter. Add flour mixture and stir until combined well.
5. Heat a well-seasoned or non-stick waffle iron until hot and brush lightly with oil. Pour half of batter into iron and cook waffle according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer waffle to a baking sheet and keep warm, uncovered, in oven. Make another waffle with remaining batter in same manner.
6. Serve waffles with syrup.