A jaffle is a toasted sandwich made in a device that seals the corners of the bread. They are equal parts delicious and dangerous, with the sealed edges trapping heat and steam inside the sandwich, often resulting in a burnt chin with the first bite.
I used to love jaffles as a kid. But the varieties were pretty much limited to ham and cheese or tinned spaghetti (in a sandwich, I know, outrageous!). But now jaffles are taking a gourmet twist. There is a bar in Melbourne called Bad Frankie, which has an extensive collection of Australian spirits -liquid, not ghosts, as well as jaffles on the menu. They even have a dessert jaffle using lamingtons.
Anyway, Bad Frankie is hosting a jaffle competition and whoever comes up with the best combination wins a bar tab, a jaffle iron and the glory of having their culinary creation on the menu.
Entries are now closed but my brother-in-law Nick is hellbent on winning. Here is his creation, inside are gourmet homemade baked beans made with cannellini and butter beans in a spicy tomato ragout and delicious molten cheese:
So called because it has beans
An excellent option for the vegetarian in your life. Like my sister.
Anyway, Nick asked me to help rally some support for the Has Beans so I would really appreciate it if you could take time out of your busy schedule to click this link and click like on Nick’s jaffle.
Nick has promised if he is in the top three to make me jaffles on demand for the rest of our natural lives*. And he clearly needs to win the jaffle iron in order to get the sealed edges on future sandwiches. So please, go ahead and click the link! I’ll be your best friend.
In the meantime, do you love jaffles or toasted sandwiches? What’s the best filling? Have you ever entered a food competition?
(*he may not have agreed to this)
My Bloggable Day 
This looks delicious – I have definitely voted for his. The jaffle that is currently number 1 looks disgusting so I hope Nick wins haha! x
Thanks Felicity! Haha I hope he wins too, now that I’ve publicly spruiked him. He said he’d be happy with top 3, which is good because some of those dessert jaffles look amazing x
Ohh jaffles… such a beautiful thing! We have a traditional Boxing Day jaffle of left over Christmas ham and cheese! I don’t feel like non-Australians get the big deal though! Good luck Nick!!
Ohhhh god that sounds delicious! There’s nothing like eating leftover Christmas ham until February.
As if I’m letting it hang around that long – it’s breakfast, lunch and dinner for me until it runs out hehe
Jaffles really are magnificent. I had a truffle Jaffle with truffle oil, gruyere cheese and grated truffle and that was pretty taste-bud exploding. I’ve been meaning to check out Bad Frankie!
Wow! that sounds outstanding, where was that?! If you get to BF let me know how it goes 🙂
I love tinned spaghetti and cheese, avocado and cheese or grated carrot and cheese. I have to admit I prefer using the sandwich press, though. The filling is better distributed to the edges.
Those first two are my favourites! Avocado and blue cheese is amazing for a gourmet twist, too. Can’t say I’ve ever considered putting grated carrots in though…
Blue cheese anything is my favourite.
The carrot and cheese does sound interesting! Will have to try it one day.
Voted!
jaffa’s in my family is known as a ‘tiffany’. this is because the jaffa maker brand was tiffany hehe
I lie, I didnt realise you had to log into facebook, and I dont hae facebook!
Fingers crossed for your brother in law
You don’t have Facebook? To quote Shoshanna from Girls: “You’re so f*cking classy”. But in all seriousness, I’m envious! I’m far too addicted.
We had a Tiffany one as well! Classic.