Chicken & Jalapeno Cheddar Waffles with Watermelon Bourbon Syrup
Chicken & Jalapeno Cheddar Waffles with Watermelon Bourbon Syrup is the perfect combination of both sweet and savoury. Each unique flavour blends together incredibly well. This meal makes the perfect dinner for your family to enjoy, as well as for a special occasion if you want to make a great impression.
Ingredients
Jalapeno Cheddar Waffles
- 1 cup waffle mix
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 jalapeños finely diced
- 1tbsp granulated garlic
- 1tbsp granulated onion
- 2 cups ice-cold water
Watermelon Bourbon Syrup
- 1/2 standard watermelon
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 oz Maker’s Mark 46
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
- 2lbs of chicken wings
- 4 cups buttermilk
- 2 Tbsp hot sauce
- 1/3 cup Pappy’s Seasoning
- 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients. Add 2 cups of ice-cold water and lightly mix everything together until the batter is light and fluffy. Once mixed, cook in a heated waffle iron for 5 minutes or until golden brown and cooked all the way through. If you’re using a waffle iron with the number setting, set it to number 2.
Watermelon Bourbon Syrup
1. Remove the rind from the watermelon and blend the flesh in a blender.
2. Remove the pulp from the juice either with a strainer or by letting the pulp settle and pouring off the juice with a spoon holding back the pulp.
3. Add the juice (aprox 2 1/2 cups) to 1 cup of brown sugar in a sauce pan and simmer over medium high until a rolling simmer and continue to cook for 45 minutes, until sauce is smooth, glossy and thick and slides off of the back of a spoon (nappe). Be sure to keep an eye on it. If it gets too hot, it will boil over.
4. After it is reduced by half, add bourbon, simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer syrup to a heat safe container and allow to cool at least 30 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator to chill at least an hour.
5. Serve on top of your favorite dishes, cocktails, mocktails or ice cream.
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Mix all dry ingredients together. Once mixed remove chicken from buttermilk mixture and lightly coat chicken with flour mixture. After coating fry at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or internal temp reaches 165 degrees.
Plating: Cut waffles into fourths. Stack waffles in center, with 3 chicken wings encircling them.
Garnish with jalapeño peppers on chicken and grilled watermelon balls. Add watermelon whiskey sauce in a circle around the chicken and waffles.
Cocktail Pairing:
Author: Black Restaurant Week
About Black Restaurant Week – Black Restaurant Week LLC is an annual, multi-city culinary movement celebrating the flavors of African, African-American and Caribbean cuisine nationwide. Black Restaurant Week partners with black-owned restaurants, chefs, caterers and food trucks to host a selection of culinary experiences aimed to expand awareness and increase support for black culinary professionals. The organization was founded in 2016 by entrepreneurs Warren Luckett, Falayn Ferrell and Derek Robinson. Connect with Black Restaurant Week on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
