Budget Southern Fried Chicken N Gravy Food

MEAN CHEF'S SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN AND GRAVY

Steps:

• FOR THE CHICKEN: Combine 3 quarts water and 1 tablespoon salt in a large bowl; add chicken pieces.
• Cover and refrigerate 8 hours.
• Or cover chicken pieces with buttermilk and refrigerate for 8 hours - if you want to be adventurous, add a 1 or 2 cups of hot sauce to the buttermilk when you marinate.
• Drain chicken; rinse with cold water, and pat dry.
• Combine 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper; sprinkle half of mixture over all sides of chicken - for the adventurous you can add 1 stp or more of cayenne or cajun spice to the flour mixture .
• Combine remaining mixture and flour in a gallon-size, heavy-duty, zip-top plastic bag.
• Place 2 pieces of chicken in bag; seal.
• Shake to coat completely.
• Remove chicken, and repeat procedure with remaining pieces.
• Combine vegetable oil and bacon drippings in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet or chicken fryer; heat to 360ºF.
• Add chicken, a few pieces at a time, skin side down.
• Cover and cook 6 minutes; uncover and cook 9 minutes.
• Turn chicken pieces; cover and cook 6 minutes.
• Uncover and cook 5 to 9 minutes, turning pieces during the last 3 minutes for even browning, if necessary.
• Drain chicken on a paper towel-lined plate placed over a large bowl of hot water.
• FOR THE GRAVY: Pour off pan drippings, reserving 1/4 cup drippings in skillet.
• Place skillet over medium heat.
• Add flour to drippings, stirring constantly, until browned.
• Add milk gradually; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly (about 3 to 5 minutes).
• Stir in salt and pepper.
• Serve immediately.
• Yield: 1 2/3 cups.
• Note: If you are using the buttermilk marinade, you can flour the chicken first, dip in the marinade and flour again.

SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN WITH MILK GRAVY

Steps:

• In a medium bowl beat milk and eggs.
• In another bowl, combine seasonings and flour.
• Dip chicken pieces in egg mixture and then in flour mixture.
• Melt shortening in 12" iron skillet.
• Brown chicken on both sides, cover and cook over low heat for 45 minutes or until juices run clear.
• Remove chicken from skillet; keep warm, reserving 1/4 cup drippings for gravy Gravy: Stir flour, salt and pepper into reserved drippings.
• Cook and stir over medium heat for 5 minutes or until browned.
• Combine milk and water; add to skillet.
• Bring to a boil.
• Boil and stir for 2-3 minutes.
• Add browning sauce if desired.
• Serve gravy with chicken and garnish with oregano.

SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN WITH GRAVY

Steps:

• In a shallow dish, combine the first 7 ingredients. In a shallow bowl, beat egg and milk. Dip chicken pieces into egg mixture, then place in flour mixture, a few pieces at a time, and turn to coat. , In a large skillet, heat 1/4 in. oil; fry chicken until browned on all sides. Cover and simmer for 35-40 minutes or until juices run clear and chicken is tender, turning occasionally. Uncover and cook 5 minutes longer. Drain on paper towels and keep warm. Drain skillet, reserving 3 tablespoons drippings. , For gravy, in a small bowl, combine the flour, salt, thyme and pepper. Gradually whisk in milk and cream until smooth; add to skillet. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with chicken.

SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN W/CREAM GRAVY

Steps:

• Wash and dry chicken pieces; shake in a bag with flour, salt, pepper and poultry seasoning.
• Dip coated pieces in cream in pie plate; then dip in remaining flour mixture again to coat evenly.
• Pour enough oil into a large skillet to make a depth of 1".
• Heat over moderate heat to 375 degrees on deep-fat frying thermometer (if you have one).
• If not, just test heat by sprinkling a drop of water into grease, if it pops, it's ready enough.
• (Stand back, so you don't get splattered).
• Add chicken, skin side down.
• When underside of chicken starts to brown, lower heat and partially cover skillet with lid.
• Turn chicken pieces after 15 minutes.
• Continue cooking second side, uncovered, until browned and chicken is tender, 10 minutes longer.
• Drain on paper toweling, keep warm.
• Serve with Cream Gravy, if you wish.
• For Cream Gravy: Pour off fat from skillet, leaving brown bits; return 2 tablespoons fat to pan.
• Stir in 2 tablespoons flour; heat until light brown.
• Remove from heat; gradually stir in 1 cup light cream.
• Return to heat; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly.
• If too thick, add more cream.
• Taste; add salt and pepper as needed.
• Makes about 1-1/4 cups.