Fried Chicken and Buttermilk Waffles with Black Pepper Maple Syrup and Vanilla Butter

Fried Chicken

In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, hot sauce, sugar, the 1 tablespoon salt and paprika.  Add the garlic.  Transfer this mixture to a gallon-size resealable plastic food storage bag.  Add the chicken pieces to the bag, seal, and refrigerate.  Allow the chicken to marinate at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and set it aside.  In a medium-size bowl, combine the flour with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt.

Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade, allowing the excess to drain off, and then dredge them in the flour.  Set the coated pieces on the wire rack until ready to fry.

Pour the oil to a depth of 1 inch in a 10-inch cast iron skillet.  Heat the oil over high heat to 350 degrees F.  (Use a deep-fry/candy thermometer for accuracy.)

Fry the chicken, in batches, until golden brown and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes per side; the chicken should register 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.  As you are cooking, be mindful of the temperature of your oil and regulate the heat as necessary.  The temperature of the oil will drop once you add the chicken.  You want to maintain the temperature between 275 degrees and 335 degrees F.  As the pieces are cooked, transfer them to a paper towel-lined platter.

Serve the chicken hot, with the Buttermilk Waffles, Black Pepper Maple Syrup, and Whipped Vanilla Butter.

Buttermilk Waffles

Combine the flour, sugar, cornmeal, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.  In a second medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry, and mix until thoroughly combined.  Whisk in the melted butter. (The batter can be prepared ahead and refrigerated overnight.)

Heat an oiled waffle iron.  Pour the appropriate amount of batter (according to the size of your waffle iron) onto the hot griddle, and cook until crisped and golden brown to your liking.  Transfer the waffle to a serving plate and repeat with the remaining batter.  Makes about 6 waffles.

Whipped Vanilla Butter

Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds into a small bowl.  Reserve the scraped pod for the Black Pepper Maple Syrup.  Add the butter and salt to the bowl, and whip with a handheld electric mixer until light and fluffy.

Transfer the butter to a small container, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.  Makes a generous 12 tablespoons.

Black Pepper Maple Syrup

Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.  Remove from the heat and allow the flavors to steep until ready to serve.  Remove the vanilla bean before serving if desired.  Makes about 1 1/2 cups.