Chicken and Waffles (Southern and West Coast)

While most people were enjoying their Labor Day Friday by sleeping in, purchasing products produced by non-union labor, and losing eyebrows while firing up grills, I was celebrating in my own way.  With my better half off to the opening season game for USC (Go Trojans), I decided to celebrate the labor of the shady restaurant cooks of America.  Mama E's Soul Food Restaurant in Oklahoma City is housed in a one room house-like building with blacked out windows and flashing strobe lights outside the building.  Mind you, I ate there at 11:00 a.m.  Despite the lack of ambience, the food was absolutely delicious, and they offered a truly wonderful regional delight--chicken and waffles.

Chicken and waffles is like having a brunch buffet on a plate.  Can't decide between breakfast or lunch?  Just load up a fresh, crisp waffle with a few fried chicken wings and you have the best of both worlds!  Chicken and waffles is both Southern and West Coast at the same.  Chicken and waffles is often found on the weekend menus of Southern restaurants.  Yet the most famous chicken and waffle joint is Roscoe's in Los Angeles.  The migration of chicken and waffles from the Deep South to Los Angeles is perhaps a culinary artifact of the movement of African-Americans in the early 20th century.  Often forgotten from the historical record is that Black Americans searching for new opportunities went places other than Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh. African-American culture flourished in places like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle in the early 1900s and beyond.  Our foods can tell a rich story about our national and local history, if we stop and think about it.  When I enjoy a plate of Southern food in Los Angeles or San Diego or New York, I can't help but stop and think about the excitement and anticipation felt by the droves of Southerners looking for the promised land in big cities.

I have fond memories of my husband taking me to USC football games in L.A. when we were dating and eating at Roscoe's afterward. He somehow remained in love with with me despite watching me inhale waffles and chicken wings as if I were in a competitive eating contest.  That is a true test of love.

Chicken and waffles works because of the salty crunch of the lightly floured wings against the sweet, buttermilk waffle and syrup.  The more you try to make sure the items don't touch, the more you need to just throw caution to the wind and let all the flavors meld into one.  Now, if you are trying to live long enough to see another football season, here is a healthier version of chicken and waffles.  I recommend using oven roasted chicken pieces (chicken, salt and pepper on top, roasted for one hour in a 450 degree oven...that's all you need) on top of Bisquick's Heart Smart waffles.  Enjoy with Griffin's sugar-free syrup and a pat of fake butter.

Happy Eating!