Orange Waffles with Passion Fruit Syrup

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup orange juice
3 large eggs, separated
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted and cooled
2 tablespoons grated orange peel
About 2 tablespoons salad oil
About 2 cups assorted sliced fruits, such as banana, kiwi fruit, and strawberries
Passion fruit syrup: (recipe follows)

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt; set mixture aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, orange juice, egg yolks, butter, an peel. Gradually whisk in flour mixture until batter is smooth.

With an electric mixer, whip egg whites in a clean bowl until stiff but not dry about 5 minutes. Gently fold whites into batter.

Heat waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions. Brush grids with oil. Fill 2/3 full with batter, spreading evenly (about 1 cup per 8-in.-square grid)

Bake until deep golden, 7 to 8 minutes. Serve, or place directly on racks in a 200 degree oven to keep warm for up to 30 minutes. Garnish with fruits and syrup.

Makes 4 waffles, each 8 inches square

Passion fruit syrup:
Slice 2 (about 3 oz. total) passion fruits in half; scoop seeds and pulp into a wire sieve over a measuring cup. Using the back of a spoon, press juice from pulp and seeds. Set aside.

In a 2-cup micro-wave-safe glass measure, heat 1 cup maple syrup, uncovered, in a microwave oven at full power (100 percent) until hot, about 1 minute. Stir in passion fruit juice.