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.

The post Fried chicken and waffles with salted syrup appeared first on MyKitchen.

Sometimes a healthy savoury option is exactly what you need to start the day, and these savoury caprese salad waffles will do the trick!

SERVES 4 // COOKING TIME 45 min

INGREDIENTS
For the waffles
1 egg
1 cup flour, sifted
1 cup milk
¼ cup vegetable oil
½ tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
2 tsp basil pesto
For the tomatoes
1 tbsp oil
2 cups baby tomatoes
To serve
1 cup mozzarella, torn into pieces
1 avocado, sliced
½ cup fresh basil, torn
4 tbsp basil pesto
2 tbsp olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD
For the waffles
1. Preheat a waffle iron.
2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in the flour, milk, oil, sugar, baking powder, salt and pesto until combined.
4. Spray the preheated waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray.
5. Pour a small quantity of batter on to the hot waffle iron and cook waffles in batches until golden brown and cooked through.
For the tomatoes
1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the tomatoes and fry until they start to soften and blister, about 3–5 minutes.
To serve
1. Top each waffle with blistered tomatoes, torn mozzarella, avocado slices and basil. Drizzle with basil pesto and olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.

Recipe & styling: Kate Turner
Photography: Samantha Pinto // HMimages.co.za

Now that you’ve tried caprese salad waffles, have you heard of hash-brown waffles? They’re so tasty, and perfect for your breakfast spread!

The post Savoury caprese salad waffles appeared first on MyKitchen.

So we thought making French toast from frozen waffles would be a great idea, and we weren’t disappointed! We decided to go with warm savoury flavours to complement the cooling weather. You don’t even have to make these French toast waffles from the frozen ones, we included a basic waffle recipe below if you’d rather make your own.

SERVES 4 // COOKING TIME 20 mins

INGREDIENTS
6 eggs
½ cup milk
1 tbsp finely chopped coriander
1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
1 tbsp grated Parmesan
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp paprika
2 tbsp butter
8 frozen waffles, defrosted, or make them yourself from the recipe below

METHOD
1. Place all ingredients but the butter and waffles in a bowl. Whisk until well combined.
2. Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Dip each waffle in the egg mixture, then place in the pan. Cook each side for 2–3 minutes, until golden brown.
4. Serve with coleslaw.

Basic waffles

MAKES 8

INGREDIENTS
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
3 tbsp sugar
½ tsp salt
1¾ cup milk
⅓ cup vegetable oil
2 eggs

METHOD
1. Preheat your waffle iron.
2. Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl. Add the sugar and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the milk, oil and eggs.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and whisk until most lumps are gone.
5. Pour 2–3 tbsp batter on to the iron. Toast for 3 minutes, until golden brown

The post Herby French toast waffles appeared first on MyKitchen.