Southern Fried Chicken Thighs With Pecan Waffles And Peachy Keen Sauce Food

SWEET HOT FRIED CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

Steps:

• For the glaze: Combine the honey, maple syrup, chili powder, paprika, black pepper, vinegar, cayenne and salt in a small saucepot. Bring just to a simmer. Remove from the heat and let steep for 20 minutes, then strain into a clean container.
• For the waffles: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F and place a rack in the middle of the oven. Place a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack in the oven.
• Whisk together the flour, Cheddar, sugar, baking powder, hot sauce, scallion whites and salt in a large bowl and set aside.
• In another large bowl, whisk the eggs and a pinch of salt until just broken up, then add the milk and whisk. Pour in the melted butter and whisk until combined.
• Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until the flour is just incorporated and no streaks remain (the batter may have a few lumps).
• Preheat a Belgian waffle iron to medium heat according to the manufacturer's instructions. Spray with nonstick cooking spray, add some batter, close the lid, and cook until the steam starts to diminish (open the top and peek for doneness after a few minutes). Transfer the waffle to the wire rack in the oven to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining batter to make 8 waffles.
• For the chicken: Pour 5-inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot. Heat over medium-high heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 360 degrees F.
• Place the chicken thighs and buttermilk in a bowl. In a separate bowl, add the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, pepper and salt, and mix to combine. Dredge each thigh in the flour mix, then shake off any excess flour and carefully place in the oil. Fry until golden, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken to a paper bag or paper towels to drain excess grease and immediately season with salt.
• Place each piece of fried chicken on top of a waffle and top each with some glaze and scallion greens to serve.

BATTERED FRIED CHICKEN AND WAFFLES WITH BOURBON-TANGERINE SYRUP

Steps:

• Whisk together 2 cups of the yogurt and 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the milk, 1 teaspoon of the chile de arbol, 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a large bowl until combined. Add the chicken and toss to coat evenly in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and rinse under cold water to remove the marinade. Pat dry on paper towels. Combine 2 teaspoons kosher salt, the remaining 1 teaspoon chile de arbol and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl. Put the chicken pieces on a large baking sheet and brush on both sides with canola oil. Season on both sides with the salt mixture and bake until lightly golden brown and the internal temperature registers 145 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 25 minutes. Transfer to the refrigerator until cool enough to handle, about 20 minutes.
• Whisk together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 tablespoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a large baking dish until combined. Whisk together the remaining 2 cups of yogurt and 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of milk in a medium bowl. Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and pinch of black pepper. Working in batches, dip the chicken pieces in the yogurt mixture, then dredge in the flour mixture, tapping off excess flour.
• Heat 2 inches of canola oil in a large cast iron pan over medium heat until it begins to shimmer. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown on both sides and just cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Remove to a baking rack set over a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
• Place a Buttermilk Waffle on a plate, spread with the Tangerine Pink Peppercorn Butter, top with some fried chicken and drizzle with the Sorghum-Bourbon-Tangerine Syrup. Garnish with the Blackberry-Pomegranate Relish.
• Preheat a waffle iron. Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F to keep the waffles warm, if desired. Whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk the egg yolks with the buttermilk and butter in another medium bowl.
• Beat the egg whites until they just hold a 2-inch peak.
• Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients in a thin steady stream while gently mixing with a rubber spatula; be careful not to add the liquid faster than you can incorporate it. Towards the end of mixing, use a folding motion to incorporate the ingredients; gently fold the egg whites into the batter.
• Spread the appropriate amount of batter onto the waffle iron. Following the manufacturer¿s instructions, cook the waffles until golden brown, 2 to 5 minutes. Serve immediately or keep warm in the oven.
• Prepare an ice bath. Combine the tangerine juice and bourbon in a small saucepan, bring to a boil and cook until reduced to 1/2 cup. Transfer to a small bowl, place the bowl inside the ice bath and stir until cold.
• Put the butter in a medium bowl, add the tangerine juice mixture, honey, peppercorns and salt and stir until combined.
• Combine the sorghum syrup and tangerine zest and juice in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Serve warm.
• Combine the blackberries, pomegranate seeds and mint in a bowl. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.

FRIED CHICKEN WITH HONEY PECAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Wash chicken pieces, pat dry. Pour buttermilk into large bowl; add chicken. Cover and refrigerate 1 ½ hours.
• Drain chicken. Combine flour, salt, garlic powder and cayenne. Dredge chicken in flour - shaking off excess. Let chicken stand 20 minute.
• Melt butter over low heat. Stir in honey and bring to a boil. Add pecans and simmer glaze for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile heat oil and fry chicken until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Serve with pecan sauce and pour over.