Got a waffle iron for Christmas and from the moment I got it, I could not stop thinking about making chicken and waffles oooo mama!! If you got a waffle iron and you have yet to make chicken and waffles WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!! get going!!!!
If you don't have a waffle iron. GET ONE and try this recipe. Then let me know what you think! I swear you socks will be knocked off!!
ALWAYS ALWAYS!! NEVER MISS THIS
QUE THE MUSIC AND GET COOKING!!
Its time to regale with the history of chicken and waffles!!
Chicken and waffles are a combination recipe as the name implies. The dish first appeared in the Untied states in the colonial period in the 1600s in Pennsylvania Dutch country. The traditional Dutch Pennsylvania version consists of stewed chicken on top of waffles covered in gravy ( sounds interesting. non?).
The fried chicken version is actually more associated with SOUL FOOD. It first appeared after the opening of the Wells Supper Club in Harlem, New York, in 1938.
Buy the early 1800s, hotels and resorts outside Philadelphia served waffles with fried catfish. Chicken gradually became the meat of choice due to the seasonal availability of catfish. BY the mid 1800s, the dish had become a specialty at Warriner's Tavern in Springfield, Massachusetts owned by two well know abolitionists "Uncle" Jeremy Warriner and his wife "Aunt" Phoebe. The cooks were freed or runaway slaves who learned their skills in plantation houses.
Given that this is the Soul Food version of the dish it only serves that the story would be an African American Folk tale. While Many African American Folk Tales are unique to the culture , some are influenced by African, Native America, and European tales.
Many tales are based on the experiences of Africans as they were brought to the Americas and their experiences in the new world. Many of the traditional tales however did retain their African roots. For example Anansi is an Akan folktale character who appears in African American folk tales as well. Anansi is actually originally from the Akan people primarily living in present day Ghana and Ivory coast.
This one is a Ndebele Folktale originating out of Zimbabwe.
A long time ago, Hare tired of living alone decided it was time for him to find a companion. And so needing to go to the neighboring village to visit his future in-laws, he decided to ask his good friend baboon to come along with him. As it was customary to have someone go with you for this important occasion. Baboon agreed to go with his good friend. Off they went.
About half way on their journey.Hare stopped Baboon near a shrub and asked "Baboon my friend, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Yes friend Hare, what can I do for you?" Baboon replied.
‘Do you see this herb?’ said Hare.
“Yes. It is the herb used to cure a tummy ache,” said Baboon.
“Correct. When we get to my in-law’s place, they will give us food. I may suffer from a tummy ache after eating. Friend, can you quickly run back here and get the roots of this shrub, and bring them back to cure me.” Baboon agreed to do this and they continued on their way to the future in-laws.
Once they arrived, they were very well received and a feast was prepared in their honor. As they took the first bite, Hare tapped Baboon and said. "My friend, I am already having the problem we talked about. Do you remember the shrub? Hurry and get me some of its roots! Otherwise, I may not survive the night!”
In a hurry Baboon quickly sprinted off to get the roots for Hare. Meanwhile, Hare settled and ate the whole feast all alone. When he finished, he asked for the dishes to be removed. Soon, Baboon, huffing and puffing, tumbled into the room with the root. "I got them my friend," proclaimed Baboon."I got the roots to cure your tummy." Hare replied, "About that, As soon as you left my tummy suddenly felt better and I could eat. Now I feel quite strong!”
“So, where is my food then?” asked Baboon. Hare told Baboon the host had cleared the dishes. Baboon was disappointed, however they prepared themselves and went to sleep. At midnight, Baboon was still awake unable to sleep as he was still hungry. Hare suggested that they steal a goat form the pen outside and Baboon agreed. Soon the friends were back to their room having accomplished their mission.
But lo and behold, while Baboon slept, Hare smeared him with the blood of the goat they had just eaten, which he had secretly brought with him to the room. In the morning, the hosts woke up to a missing goat. During questioning they saw Baboon stained with blood. He was apprehended and killed. Hare in turn thank his hosts and returned to his village.
Meanwhile Jackal, a friend of Baboon, heard what happened to his friend and how he was tricked by Hare. He decided to to avenge his friends and trick Hare as well. So, Jackal visited Hare and asked for his company to his in-law’s village.
Halfway through the journey, Jackal asked Hare,
“ Friend Hare, there is one important favor I need to ask of you.”
“Yes, Jackal, let me know what I can do.” Hare replied.
“Do you see this herb?” said Jackal
“Yes, friend. It is the herb used to cure a tummy ache.” Hare replied.
“When we get to my in-law’s place, they will give us food. I may suffer from a tummy ache after eating. Will you quickly return here and get me the root of this shrub to cure me?"
Hare agreed, and they continued on their journey. However, before they could continue, Hare excused himself and secretly dug up the root of the shrubs and brought them with him. When they got to the in laws and were presented with a feast, at the first bite Jackal asked Hare to go and get the root for his tummy was aching and he needed the roots. Hare having dug the roots up earlier quickly produced the roots and Jackal was required to share the feast with Hare and not eat alone.
In the middle of the night, Jackal woke Hare up, and they killed and ate a goat. Jackal secretly kept some blood smear on Hare while he slept. They retired and Jackal waited for Hare to fall asleep. But Hare’s eyes remained wide open. He checked again and again until the sun came up!
Soon, the in-laws burst into the room looking for the midnight goat thief. Jackal was caught red-handed with blood! Hare had slept peacefully through the night even though his eyes never closed for a single moment! And with that Jackal was put to death and Hare survived.
Moral: In life there are some characters who are clever and very cunning – they will always outwit you. Be careful not to fall prey to them; neither should you try to copy their ways because you may not have the same wittiness or advantages as they do. in other words, be careful who you trust
A delicious combination of savory waffles and friend chicken seasoned with Cajun spices, smothered is a scintillating spicy Honey Maple Syrup. ooooo!! This will knock you socks off for sure!!
ENJOY YOUR MEAL GARNISH AS YOU PLEASE!!!
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