Craig Claibornes Fried Chicken Recipes

CRAIG CLAIBORNE'S CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICH

Steps:

• Strip the cooked chicken meat from the bones and cut it into bitesize pieces. There should be about 3 1/2 cups. Put the meat into a mixing bowl. Add the celery, onion and capers.
• Blend together the yogurt, mayonnaise and vinegar and add to the chicken mixture. Add salt, pepper, parsley and scallions and toss to blend.
• Use the bread to make sandwiches, garnished, if desired, with pickle strips, radishes, cherry tomatoes or any garnish of your choice.

CRAIG CLAIBORNE'S FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Put the chicken pieces in a mixing bowl and add enough milk to cover. Stir in the Tabasco sauce and refrigerate for at least one hour, or overnight.
• Combine the flour, salt and pepper in a flat baking dish or, preferably, in a large, heavy paper bag or strong plastic bag. Drain the chicken pieces, but don't pat them dry. Put them in the dish or the paper or plastic bag with the flour. Turn the pieces or shake to coat them thoroughly.
• Heat the lard or oil with the butter in a heavy skillet, preferably cast-iron, large enough to hold half of the chicken pieces in one layer so they don't touch. Add half of the chicken pieces, skin side down, in one layer. Turn the heat to high and cook uncovered until golden brown.
• Turn the pieces and reduce the heat to medium low. Cook until golden brown. The total cooking time should be 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the cooked pieces of chicken and drain on paper towels. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken. (If this is made the day before, you do not have to refrigerate overnight.)

CRAIG CLAIBORNE'S SMOTHERED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Craig Claiborne believed a cast-iron skillet to be essential for the authentic preparation of this dish. Sprinkle the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Select a skillet large enough to hold the chicken comfortably when it is opened up, as for broiling. Fold wings under to secure them.
• Melt the butter in the pan and add the chicken, skin side down. Cover chicken with a plate that will fit comfortably inside the skillet. Place a heavy can, stone or brick on top of the plate to weigh it down. Cook over low heat, checking the chicken skin, until it is nicely browned, about 25 minutes.
• Remove weight and plate. Turn chicken so skin side is up. Replace plate and weight and continue cooking for about 15 minutes more.
• Remove chicken and pour off fat from the skillet, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan. Add the flour to the fat, stirring with a wire whisk over medium heat. Gradually add the chicken broth and, when thickened, return chicken to the skillet, skin side up. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover with the plate and weight and continue cooking over low heat about 20 to 30 minutes longer or until the meat is exceptionally tender. Spoon the sauce over it.
• Cut chicken into serving pieces, and serve with the sauce and fluffy rice on the side.

MRS. HOVIS'S FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Carefully cut each chicken into 8 pieces: 2 legs, 2 thighs, 2 breast pieces, 2 wings (with wing tips removed, if desired). Use the carcasses for soups and stock.
• Combine the salt, black pepper, poultry seasoning, paprika and cayenne, and blend well. Coat chicken pieces with this mixture.
• Coat the pieces with flour. The Southern technique calls for putting the flour in a large, heavy brown paper bag, adding the chicken pieces a few at a time and tossing. Remove and shake off excess flour.
• Heat half the white shortening, half the lard and half the bacon fat in each of two large skillets, preferably black iron. Heat the fat until it is lightly smoking.
• Put the chicken pieces in, skin side up, and cook until crisp and golden brown on one side, about 12 to 14 minutes. Turn the pieces and continue cooking 12 to 14 minutes on the second side, taking care not to burn the pieces.