Have Mercy And Say Yeah!

Sunday Gospel Brunch... Hallelujah!

(Scroll down to "The Playlist" and hit play before reading... works better that way!)

There is nothing more Southern than an amazing Gospel choir, a little soul food and a nice little libation to celebrate the day.  I always find a gospel brunch to be invigorating, exciting and inspirational. I always leave feeling ready to conquer the world... or at least the week ahead.  I remember the first Gospel Brunch I went to was at Stubbs BBQ in Austin, Texas.  Man the band and the choir were rattling the rafters.  Awesome music, food and experience...  so, come on in and fill the hole in your sole.  

The pots are on...

The Plate... 

Chicken & Waffles

Like ole Tony Joe White says - "If some of ya'll never been down South too much... I'm gonna tell you a little bit about this, so you'll understand what I'm talking bout!"  Chicken and Waffles... Yes Ma'am!

I would have never thought to put these two wonderful delicacies together, then I visited Glady's Knight & Ron's Chicken and Waffles in Atlanta.  This brought a whole new light to my thought on Soul food.  I just thought I liked Soul food.  After my experience with Chicken and Waffles... I'm in love!

What you need...

Fried Chicken -

1 lb chicken wings 

1 cup buttermilk

1 oz or 2 hot sauce

2 cloves garlic, smashed

2 sprigs fresh thyme

kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp cayenne pepper

Vegetable oil

Waffles - 

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tbls sugar
1 tbls baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups whole milk
4 tbls shortening, melted
4 tbls unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
Maple syrup

What you do...

Fried Chicken - 
Whisk together the buttermilk, hot sauce, garlic thyme, salt and pepper.
Add the chicken and refrigerate for 2-4 hours.
Mix together the flour, baking powder, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper / set aside.

Fill a wide pot with about 3 inches of oil and heat over medium heat (about 350 degrees)
Remove chicken from the buttermilk brine and place into the seasoned flour, covering completely.
Place chicken on wire rack.

Add chicken to the hot oil. (careful man... it's hot)

Fry the chicken for about 1 minute, then carefully turn as needed. 

Chicken is done when the internal temp is 165 degrees.

Waffles -
Preheat a waffle iron.
Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
Whisk together the milk, butter, shortening and eggs in a separate bowl.
Pour the "milk mixture" in with the flour mixture and gently stir until well blended.
Brush the waffle iron with a little butter and fill with your mixture.
Cook for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown.
You can keep the waffles covered with foil in a 200 degree oven to keep them warm.


Serve with "Real Maple" syrup and hot sauce for the Chicken... perfect combo of sweet and spicy... just like the music.



The Playlist... 

Have Mercy and Say Yeah!

A playlist full of joyous music that will have you dancing in your seat.  Starting off with the Quincy Jones theme from "A Color Purple".  Following up with The Blind Boys of Alabama's new one, "God Put a Rainbow in the Cloud".  Etta James, Mavis Staples and the queen of gospel, Mahalia Jackson keep it rockin'.  If this doesn't get you movin' and groovin'... well something's wrong. 

Crank it up and pass the chicken please.
Rock on Brother!

("The Playlist" runs on Spotify. Don't have Spotify?... Click here it's free )

The Bar... 

Tangerine Gin Fizz

1 oz Gin
4 oz Fresh Tangerine Juice
Top off with Champaign

A little twist on the old Mimosa... and as refreshing as it sounds.

Can I Get An Amen?!!!

Please... Day Drink Responsibly 

& 

Keep On Cookin'!