Chicken and Waffles

Growing up in Central Pennsylvania, Chicken and Waffles was a menu item we had quite often.

My Mother would poach a chicken, debone it, and, using the chicken stock, prepare a creamed
chicken.  She would then make waffles, using a waffle iron.  The creamed chicken would be
served atop the homemade waffles.....hmmmmm, comfort food!

Every Sunday I take my ninety-one year old Mother and sixty-one year old brother to Sunday
Lunch.  My brother has Downs Syndrome and food is his hobby!  We go from restaurant to
 restaurant each Sunday - some days it is Olive Garden, some days it is Red Lobster, others it
might be a diner.

Early this morning my brother called me.  He informed me he was in the mood for Chicken
and Waffles.  I told him I would see what I could do to make that happen.

I then punched in "Chicken and Waffles near me" on my ipad.  Many, many restaurants and
diners appeared.  I then zeroed in on the closest restaurants and was quite surprised at the
photos of Chicken and Waffles.

Instead of a Chicken in Gravy over Waffles, what appeared at these restaurants was Fried
Chicken and Waffles on the Side with Maple Syrup.  (What??????)

No where was there a chicken in gravy over a waffle. 

Apparently the Fried Chicken with Waffle on the Side is a Southern specialty.

I must confess, I never heard of that!

Digging further into the internet, an article appeared regaling the wonders of the Amish
Chicken and Waffles, only to be found east of Pittsburgh!

Aha!  Our Chicken and Waffles!!!!!

Little did I ever realize that this was a regional dish peculiar to Central Pennsylvania.
(although I must admit, I thought, as a youngster, that everyone in the world ate pork and sauerkrout
on New Years Day!!!)

With the advent of the rotisserie chicken,  available to everyone, we do not have to cook our
own chicken, make our own stock, etc. to enjoy this dish.

I found a wonderful recipe from good food stories that nails it!

Amish Chicken and Waffles
(4 servings)

1  3-4 lb. rotisserie chicken

Waffles:
1 large egg
4 T. unsalted butter, melted
1 cup milk
1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. granulated sugar
1/4 t. kosher salt

Gravy:
4 T. unsalted butter
1/4 cup unbleached all purpose flour
2 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup milk (or heavy cream, for extra richness)
salt and pepper to taste

1.  Pull the meat from the roasted chicken and cut or shred into bite-sized pieces.
Keep warm in a low oven til ready to assemble.

Make the Waffles:
2.  Preheat a 4 square waffle maker.
3.  Separate the egg yolk and white and reserve the egg white in a small bowl.
4.  Melt the butter in a small saucepan and remove from heat to cool slightly.
5.  Whisk the egg yolk and milk together in a large bowl, then add the melted butter, flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.  Whisk together til just barely combined; some lumps may remain.
6.  Beat the egg white by hand or with an electric mixer til soft peaks form.  Gently fold the
egg white into the batter with a spatula.
7.  Grease the waffle maker, if necessary, and pour the batter evenly into the waffle iron; depending on the depth and size of your waffle maker, you may have a bit of leftover batter.  Cook according to your waffle makers' specifications.

8.  Alternative:  purchase frozen waffle and heat according to directions.

Make the gravy:
1.  Melt the butter in a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat.  Sprinkle the flour evenly over the melted butter and whisk to incorporate into a roux. 
2.  Cook, whisking frequently, til roux turns toasty golden.  It will remain pale for a few minutes,
then toast quickly so keep an eye on it.
3.  Drizzle in the chicken stock, whisking constantly as it is added.  The flour will clump, but
continue to whisk and the gravy will smooth itself out.  Add the milk and cook, stirring frequently,
until the gravy thickens and comes to a simmer.
4.  Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Add chicken pieces to the
sauce.

Assemble:

1.  Place a waffle on a plate, spoon chicken and gravy over the waffle.
(Sometimes served with a side of mashed potatoes)