Ingredients
1 3/4 c. yellow cornmeal, spooned and leveled
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
4 tsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
2 1/4 c. buttermilk
3 large eggs
1/4 c. buttermilk
3 large eggs
1/4 c. unsalted butter, melted, plus more for griddle
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
3 3/4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 c. buttermilk
1 1/2 lb. chicken tenderloins
9 c. canola oil
1 c. pure maple syrup
1 tsp. Tabasco hot sauce
1/2 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
Preparation
Step 1Make the Pancakes: Whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Stir together buttermilk, eggs, and butter in a separate bowl. Stir buttermilk mixture into cornmeal mixture until just blended and smooth.Step 2Heat a griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium heat; butter. Pour about ⅓ cup batter for each pancake onto griddle. Cook until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look dry, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn and cook until plump and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Place pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet, and keep warm in a 175°F oven up to 30 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter.Step 3Make the Crispy Chicken Fingers: Whisk together flour, baking powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Whisk together buttermilk and eggs in a separate bowl. Toss chicken, one piece at a time, in flour mixture; dip in buttermilk mixture and toss again in flour mixture. Let coated chicken stand in flour mixture for 10 minutes.Step 4Set a wire rack over a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Pour 1 ½ inches oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven. Clip an oil thermometer onto the pan and heat over medium-high to 360°F. Fry chicken, in batches and turning occasionally, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to prepared rack; season with salt. Keep warm in a 175°F oven up to 30 minutes.Step 5Make the Spicy Syrup: Stir together maple syrup, Tabasco, black pepper, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until hot, 1 minute. Let stand 5 minutes. Makes 1 cup.
