By Natalie Lozano Trimble
Photography by Thanin Viriyaki
Read more: Inside Cafe Modern’s kitchen with chef Jett Mora
Serves approximately 4-5 people
Fried Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 small jar of kimchi cabbage (store-bought)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup corn starch
- 1 cup tapioca starch
- 1 cup potato starch
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic
- 2 teaspoons granulated onion
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon coarse Korean chili pepper flakes (gochujaru)
Preparation
To make an overnight brine, puree about 3 cups of the kimchi liquid and some of the cabbage, add a pinch of salt and submerge the chicken thighs in a covered container overnight (add water if needed so the thighs are covered).
The following day, combine all the dry ingredients and reserve.
Pull the chicken out of the brine.
Dredge the chicken 2 times (wet, dry, wet, dry) and rest on a baking tray. Be generous with the flour dredge.
Fry the chicken in a neutral, high-smoking-point oil (canola, vegetable, etc.) at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 3 minutes. (Note: This is only the first fry. The trick to KFC is frying the chicken twice, once at a low temperature, allow to rest, then fry at a higher temperature.)
Pull the chicken and rest, preferably on a rack, to drain some of the oil.
Raise the temperature of the oil to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, fry a second time, this time ensuring the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Drain on a rack and salt to taste.
Waffle Batter
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ cup baking powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons gochucharu (Course Korean Chili Flake)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 4 whole egg whites
- 4 whole eggs
- 1 cup butter, melted
Preparation
Sift dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Combine all the wet ingredients.
Incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Fold in the egg whites, set aside.
Cook in a waffle press per equipment instructions.
Gojuchang Honey
Ingredients
- 1 cup gochujang paste
- 2 teaspoons local honey
- pinch kosher salt
Recommended Plating
Place the waffle on the bottom, put the chicken on top, drizzle the honey and add any kimchi for garnish.