Nothing says soul food like classic fare from the American south. Try out these sweet and savoury fried chicken and waffles with salted syrup.

SERVES 6 // COOKING TIME 1 hour 20 min

INGREDIENTS
For the salted syrup
1 cup white sugar
2 tsp coarse salt
1½ cups water
1 tsp vanilla essence
For the fried chicken
4 chicken breasts, pounded flat
3 tsp salt
3 tsp white pepper
2 cups buttermilk
3 eggs
3 tbsp hot sauce
2 cups flour
2 tbsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp dried origanum
1 tbsp chilli flakes
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp garlic powder
For the waffles
2¼ cups flour
3 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 eggs, separated
½ cup vegetable oil
2 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla essence

METHOD
For the salted syrup
1. Heat all the ingredients in a pot over low-medium. Stir until the sugar  has dissolved.
2. Increase the heat to medium-high and boil, without stirring, for 15 minutes, until it  becomes a caramel colour.
For the fried chicken
1. Slice each chicken breast lengthwise into 3 pieces. Season with the salt and pepper.
2. Whisk the buttermilk, eggs and hot sauce together.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cayenne and origanum together.
4. Heat enough oil to deep-fry in a pot over medium-high.
5. Coat the chicken in the flour mixture and then in the buttermilk, followed by another layer of flour.
6. Deep-fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through. Set the oil aside.
7. Mix the chilli flakes, brown sugar and garlic powder together in a heat-proof bowl. Whisk through ½ cup of the oil that the chicken was fried in. Use this to baste the chicken lightly.
For the waffles
1. Heat a waffle iron and grease lightly.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients together.
3. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
4. Mix together the egg yolks, oil, milk and vanilla. Add to the dry ingredients and mix well to combine. Then fold in the egg whites.
5. Pour about ⅓ cup of batter into the waffle iron and cook until golden brown and crisp. Repeat until all batter is used.

Recipe & styling: Dylan Norton
Photography: Samantha Pinto // HMimages.co.za

If you’re new to savoury waffles and have found that you thoroughly enjoy them, check out these caprese salad waffles.

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