Soul food: chicken and waffles

[Subtle_badger]

I gather this is a classic American southern/soul food dish. I have never had it, but enjoyed a keto version this evening. It was delicious. The elements were a sweet syrup made with erythritol (an ingredient I tried for the first time today), chicken "breaded" in pork scratchings, and keto waffles, aka chaffles.

It was pretty goddamn delicious, and pretty low carb. The chicken is extremely low carb, and I believe the syrup has zero effect on glucose or insulin...

That leaves the chaffles, which I calculate 3 net carbs (+5g fibre)

All-in-all, a remarkably indulgent meal that ticks all my health boxes.

Oh, except I need to hit the veggies hard tomorrow!

[SewMore]

Hi SB, looks tasty, how did making the chaffles go? My kids eat regular HM waffles, so it would be good to try - did you put a sweetener in the batter? It just the syrup?

[Subtle_badger in reply to SewMore]

I did put sweetener in the batter, but only because I was trying to make the dish as close to it's origins - it's from America's south, and they put sugar in everything.

But I made them previously without any sweetener and they tasted good.

Basic chaffles are just mozzarella and eggs. This batch had ground almonds and psyllium husks as well as baking powder.

True fact, it's the first sweetener (artificial, natural or sugar) I have used in 12 months.

[SewMore in reply to Subtle_badger]

Thanks SB. I tried the DD chaffle version without sweetener, and it got a thumbs up from me, and an ok from the kids 😄 Shredding the mozzarella was the first task; speedily achieved with grater on food mixer. Note: the mixture grows in the waffle machine much more than regular batter! I had a few quarters with ham, and one with a teaspoon of honey 😆. Yum! It’s like an omelette but better! I think I’d have to try a different recipe to get it less eggy, but it was fine for the savory version.

[Subtle_badger in reply to SewMore]

It really is amazing. I'm going to make it again, as soon as my fast is over. Ham sandwich is a great idea!!

I think there are 4 ways of handling the mozzarella in the UK.

1) Buy the pre-grated version. Downside is there is some starch added, and it's usually more expensive.

Or use the fresh style that is common in the UK (and very cheap!)

2) toss all the ingredients into a food processor or blender; the cheese will be shredded in seconds, and then the batter is done

3) Your technique, kudos 👍

4) (haven't tried this yet) freeze the cheese for 15 minutes, then grate.

[TheAwfulToad Ambassador]

The mind boggles. Keto waffles? My OH occasionally gets a jones for American-style pancakes; maybe I'll try this out on her and see what she thinks.

[Subtle_badger in reply to TheAwfulToad]

I think it might work. I made a "chancake" before investing in the waffle maker. It came out pretty good.

It was a pizza flavoured, with coconut and almond flour, plus Chorizo and tomato paste. Texture was good.

[Whydothis]

I have just looked up chaffles - I had never heard of them. Now I have ...

[Subtle_badger in reply to Whydothis]

If you want to go on a deep dive.....

youtube.com/playlist?list=P...

[Whydothis in reply to Subtle_badger]

That was interesting, thank you! I will try the pancake version, as I have no waffle maker, and no space in my kitchen for more gadgets.