Ingredients
8 ounces bacon
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt, plus more for tomatoes
3 tablespoons sugar
4 large eggs, separated
2 cups milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus 1 to 2 tablespoons for tomatoes
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 1/4 pounds green tomatoes, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
Freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons mayonnaise, or to taste
1 small head red-leaf lettuce
Preparation
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook the bacon on a rimmed baking sheet, until browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Set aside on paper towels.
Heat waffle iron. Reduce oven heat to 200 degrees. Into a large bowl, sift together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, milk, and melted butter. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry mixture, and stir until combined. Stir in the grated cheese.
In a medium bowl, beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold into the batter.
Ladle about 1/3 cup batter onto each section of the waffle grid; spread batter almost to the edges. Close lid; bake 3 to 5 minutes. until no steam emerges from waffle iron.
Transfer cooked waffles to a baking sheet; place in an oven set to low heat, about 200 degrees, while using remaining batter.
Slice the tomatoes to a 1/2-inch thickness. Heat remaining butter in a medium skillet on medium high. Season tomato slices with salt and pepper; saute until lightly browned on the edges, about 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Set aside.
Spread waffles with mayonnaise, then layer half the waffles with the bacon, tomatoes, and lettuce. Sandwich together, and serve.
