Crispy Chicken Waffles: This one is for all the Weird Kids out there.

I remember for most of my life, I have been the odd one out, not always fitting in wherever I go.  Always picked last for the team, not being chosen as class captain, labeled as the weird, artsy kid that everyone made fun of.  I never really fit in anywhere.  As a child I found out that kids can really be mean.  Where do I go? Who wants to be friends with the weird kid?  Before going to high school, innocence is usually not lost.

This was Tough

High school wasn't any better, everything intensified! Halfway through high school, we moved almost a 1000 kilometers to a city close to the ocean. Guess I had to start all over again, trying to fit in and not to get noticed.  My first day at the new school wasn't any better.  I hate being the new guy. This was tough.

I get home from school, relieved that the day was over. Thankfully I started to develop my artistic skills (by the age of 12, carrying it through to adulthood) and had a place I could escape to.  Other than my artistic skills, my interest in food also started to grow. I would get funny looks from people around me for the odd combinations I made.  For me, peanut butter and mayo together was heaven etc.  People don't really understand the daily impact one can have on a persons' life with silly little remarks whether they might be positive of negative.

Different is Cool

In life, I decided to focus on the positive and the "different".  Sometimes things don't always fit, but they make for the most magical moments. Weird is wonderful and great.  Not fitting in is okay, and I challenge anyone to tell me otherwise.  The world lacks originality.  I recently put out a dish I worked on so hard, and I was met with tons of negativity and terrible feedback. I thought this is it, this is the end of me, but I had to take a step back and find the positive, inspiring bits and focus on that. 

I set out to challenge the normal and mix things together that never really fit,  in a food I do the same, and I am not afraid to experiment and make new combinations.  Those who know me, know about the blue velvet cake I once baked - it turned into a fiasco.  Send me an inbox for the full story. (I chuckled at this memory!) .  

Deep Fried, Fluffy & Sweet!

Combining deep fried chicken with waffles sounds a bit odd, but interestingly works harmoniously!  The crunchiness of the chicken nestled on a bed of fluffy waffles and crispy bacon, drenched in dripping maple syrup.  Complimented with tangy, creamy coleslaw and other delicacies.  None of the ingredients fit together, and as odd as it may sound, it will satisfy every inch of your taste buds.  

This one is for all the Weird Kids out there. 

Crispy Chicken Waffles

Serving  : 2 - 4

Prep       : 10 minutes

Cooking : 35 minutes

Ingredients (Crispy Chicken)

• 2-4 Chicken breasts
• 2 large Eggs
• 11/2 cups Bread Crumbs
• 1 cup Kellogg's Corn Flakes
• potato Chips (for extra flavor - crushed)
• Chicken spice
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

Method

• Cut Chicken into strips.
• Beat eggs in a separate container and keep aside.
• Mix bread crumbs, chips, chicken spice, corn flakes, salt and pepper in a blender until fine.
• While the oil is heating up, dip the chicken strips in the eggs and then in the crumb mix - repeat 3 times.
• Slowly place them in the oil and fry until golden brown.
• Set aside on a paper towel to dry.

Using an Air-fryer for the chicken strips is easier and less messy.

Ingredients (Coleslaw)

• 250g raw Coleslaw 
• 1 part Condensed Milk
• 2 parts Mayonnaise

Method

• Mix condensed milk and mayonnaise together, adding a dash of milk if the mixture is to stiff.
• Mix this with the Coleslaw and you have a quick "salad". 

Ingredients (Bacon)

• 200g Bacon (strips not diced)
• Butter for frying

Method

• In a hot pan, melt butter and fry bacon until crispy and golden brown.

Ingredients (Waffles)

• 2 cups Flour
• 1tsp Salt
• 4 tsp Baking Powder
• 2 tbs Sugar
• 180 - 240ml Milk
• 2 large Eggs
• 1/3 cup Butter (melted)
• 1stp Vanilla Extract

Method

• Sift all the dry ingredients together.
• Mix milk, eggs, butter and vanilla extract together.
• In a mixer, slowly add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients and mix together until a batter forms. 
• Scoop some batter into a waffle maker and close the lid (a waffle pan can also be used).
• Once they are golden brown , remove.

If the batter is too thick, add the extra 60ml of milk and mix.

* Have some Maple Syrup ready to drench over the Waffles and Sweet Chili Sauce for dipping. 

Stack everything in the following order:

• Waffle
• Chicken Strips
• Coleslaw
• Bacon 

Top this all off with sticky yummy golden Maple Syrup and serve with Sweet Chili Sauce on the side.

Enjoy

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