Moira Hodgsons Fried Chicken Recipes

CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Take your cut up chicken pieces and skin them if you prefer. Put the flour in a large plastic bag (let the amount of chicken you are cooking dictate the amount of flour you use). Season the flour with paprika, salt and pepper to taste (paprika helps to brown the chicken).
• Dip chicken pieces in buttermilk then, a few at a time, put them in the bag with the flour, seal the bag and shake to coat well. Place the coated chicken on a cookie sheet or tray, and cover with a clean dish towel or waxed paper. LET SIT UNTIL THE FLOUR IS OF A PASTE-LIKE CONSISTENCY. THIS IS CRUCIAL!
• Fill a large skillet (cast iron is best) about 1/3 to 1/2 full with vegetable oil. Heat until VERY hot. Put in as many chicken pieces as the skillet can hold. Brown the chicken in HOT oil on both sides. When browned, reduce heat and cover skillet; let cook for 30 minutes (the chicken will be cooked through but not crispy). Remove cover, raise heat again and continue to fry until crispy.
• Drain the fried chicken on paper towels. Depending on how much chicken you have, you may have to fry in a few shifts. Keep the finished chicken in a slightly warm oven while preparing the rest.

LORETTA LYNN'S CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine all Seasoned Flour Mixand set aside.
• Combine Batter ingredients.
• Heat Crisco to 365°F.
• Moisten chicken pieces. Dip in seasoned flour, then batter, then back in seasoned flour. Fry for 15 to 18 minutes or until well browned. Drain on paper towels.

SPICY STIR-FRY CHICKEN AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Cut the chicken in one-inch cubes. Beat the egg white lightly and mix it with half the cornstarch and salt to form a smooth paste. Set aside.
• In another bowl, mix the rice wine, soy sauce, stock and remaining cornstarch to form a smooth paste.
• Toss the chicken into the egg white-cornstarch mixture. Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet. Fry the chicken cubes until golden and remove with a slotted spoon. Drain on paper towels. Pour off the oil, leaving about one tablespoon in the wok.
• Add the garlic, ginger and scallions and stir-fry for one minute. Add the asparagus and stir-fry for two minutes, or until bright green. Add the chicken and chili paste and mix thoroughly. Add the rice wine mixture and stir well. Just before removing from heat, stir in the sesame oil. Sprinkle with coriander and serve.

FRIED CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Marinate the chicken in a mixture of the lemon juice and Creole pepper for a couple of hours.
• Heat the shortening until smoking. Season the chicken pieces with salt and dredge them lightly with flour. Fry until golden brown and drain on paper towels.
• Meanwhile, combine the mayonnaise with the thyme, tarragon, chili and scallions. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix the olive oil and vinegar in a separate bowl and season. Toss the lettuce leaves in the dressing and arrange on a platter.
• When the chicken is cool enough to handle, cut it in slices. Coat with the mayonnaise and place in the center of the lettuce leaves.

PAULA WOLFERT'S CHICKEN, MOROCCAN-STYLE

Steps:

• Wash the chicken, then drain. The remainder of this step is optional; the North Africans do it to purify the chicken. Blend the garlic with one tablespoon salt to make a paste. Rub the paste into the cavity and the flesh of the chicken. Rinse well.
• Place the chicken in the casserole with the spices, garlic, onions, herbs, oil and two cups water. Simmer, covered, 30 minutes, turning the chicken often in the cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, pit the olives. To rid them of their bitterness boil them three times, changing the water each time.
• Add the drained pitted olives and the lemon juice to the casserole and continue cooking until the chicken is very tender. Transfer the chicken to a serving dish. Using a slotted spoon, remove the olives and place around the chicken. Meanwhile reduce the cooking liquid in the casserole to a thick sauce. Adjust the salt and lemon juice to taste. Pour over the chicken. Serve at once.

CHICKEN TARRAGON WITH CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a fireproof pan, heat the butter, and brown the chicken lightly. Season with salt and pepper, add half the tarragon. Cover with foil and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until chicken breasts are cooked.
• Remove from oven. Stir in the crème fraîche, heat through and sprinkle with remaining tarragon leaves.

MOIRA HODGSON'S FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Place flour (about 1 cup) in brown bag. Lightly dredge chicken pieces with flour, shaking off excess.
• Heat oil and butter in 12-inch cast-iron or heavy skillet (or use 2 smaller skillets). You should have 1/2 to 3/4 inch of fat. Add chicken pieces without crowding and fry over high heat for 5 minutes. Turn and fry 3 minutes more.
• Cover, turn down heat and cook for 30 minutes.
• Remove lid, turn up heat to crisp chicken, about 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve.