Fried Chicken Emeril Style Food

FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine the buttermilk, 1/4 cup Essence, salt, sugar, and garlic in a large nonreactive bowl. Stir to blend. Immerse the chicken in the mixture and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and for up to 24 hours.
• Combine the flour, the remaining 1/4 cup Essence, and the cayenne in a large doubled brown paper bag or plastic freezer bag and shake to blend. Drop the chicken, a few pieces at a time, into the flour mixture and shake thoroughly to completely coat. Remove the chicken and shake off the excess flour. Repeat the coating process with the remaining chicken pieces. Place the coated chicken on a large wire rack set over a sheet pan and let rest until ready to fry, at least 20 minutes.
• Heat 4 inches of oil to 300 degrees F over medium-high heat in a medium Dutch oven or heavy pot. Fry the chicken in batches, skin side down, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Turn and fry until golden brown on the second side, 8 to 10 minutes longer. Remove the chicken and drain on paper towels. (Note: An even oil temperature is the key to success; a clip-on candy/deep-fry thermometer should be kept in the pot at all times. And the temperature should remain between 280 degrees F and 300 degrees F at all times.) Allow the chicken to rest at least 5 minutes before serving.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch
• Published by William Morrow, 1993.

EMERIL'S FRIED CHICKEN CREOLE STYLE WITH GRAVY

Steps:

• First make the Creole seasoning.
• Mix all the Creole seasoning ingredients together and store the mixture in an airtight container.
• You will get about â..." cup and you won't need it all for this fried chicken recipe.
• Cut the chicken into 8 pieces. Use the salt and cayenne pepper to season the chicken pieces.
• Whisk 2 tablespoons of the milk with the eggs and add a pinch of Creole seasoning. Add another pinch of the seasoning to 3 cups of the flour.
• Dredge the chicken in the flour, then in the egg, ensuring the chicken pieces are completely covered. Let any excess drip off. Dip the chicken pieces again in the flour.
• Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are tender, then mash in the butter and some cream or milk too if you prefer a creamier texture. Keep the mashed potatoes warm.
• Heat the oil in a skillet. Place half the chicken pieces skin side down in the hot oil and fry for 6 minutes.
• Flip the chicken pieces over and cook for 6 more minutes or until the chicken is cooked right through and golden brown.
• Drain the chicken on a paper lined plate and sprinkle more Creole seasoning over it.
• Fry the other half of the chicken pieces. Pour all the oil except ½ cup out of the skillet.
• Whisk in the rest of the flour and let the mixture cook for a few minutes, scraping the stuck-on bits of chicken off the skillet.
• Whisk in the rest of the milk and bring the liquid to a boil.
• Turn it down to a simmer and season with salt and black pepper.
• Cook this gravy for 6 minutes.
• You can add some water if it goes too thick.
• Serve the mashed potatoes and fried chicken with the gravy over the top.

FRIED CHICKEN WINGS WITH EMERIL'S ESSENCE

Steps:

• Cut the chicken wings at the joints, and set the wing tips aside for another purpose. In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, hot sauce, 1/4 cup Essence and 3 teaspoons salt. Whisk to combine, add the chicken, and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover the bowl, transfer to the refrigerator, and marinate for at least 1 hour, and up to 4 hours before proceeding.
• Preheat a large cast iron Dutch oven with 1 quart of peanut oil to 360 degrees F. Place the flour in a large resealable plastic food storage bag and season with 1/4 cup of the Essence and remaining salt. Add 8 pieces of chicken at a time to the seasoned flour and shake to evenly coat. Remove from the bag and place on a wire rack set over a sheet pan. Continue to coat the wings and allow them to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before proceeding.
• Fry the chicken in batches, about 10 to 12 pieces at a time. When you add the chicken to the hot oil, the temperature will drop drastically. Raise the heat to high once the chicken is in the pot. The temperature should level off at around 300 degrees F. Fry the chicken until golden brown and the meat is cooked all the way through, about 7 to 8 minutes. Be sure to return the oil to 360 to 370 degrees F before frying another batch of chicken. Continue this process until all of the chicken is fried. Season the fried chicken with the remaining tablespoon of Essence. Serve hot. (The chicken can be kept in a preheated 200 degree F oven once fried to keep warm while you fry the remainder of the chicken.)
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William and Morrow, 1993.

CHICKEN CUTLETS EMERIL STYLE

Steps:

• Put enough oil in a large frying pan to fill about a quarter of an inch.
• Put burner on medium heat.
• In a shallow dish mix the bread crumbs and Essence till well blended.
• Dip chicken into milk and then coat each side in breadcrumbs.
• Fry each side till slightly brown.
• Drain on paper towels to get the extra oil out.