My Mothers Fried Chicken Food

MOM'S BAKED FRIED CHICKEN AND GRAVY

Steps:

• Make chicken:
• Soak chicken in milk to cover for 20 to 30 minutes. Spray a baking dish (one that will accommodate all the chicken pieces comfortably in one layer) with nonstick vegetable-oil spray.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Put the butter in the baking dish and heat it in the oven until the butter melts. Mix flour and seasonings together in paper sack or plastic baggie (1-gallon size). Shake each piece of chicken in seasoned flour. Place chicken pieces, skin-side down, in baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes. Turn chicken over and bake an additional 20 minutes or until cooked through and crispy. Remove chicken and set aside in a warm place.
• Make gravy:
• Sauté the scallions and mushrooms in the drippings over medium high heat, until soft. Mix the seasoned flour with milk first until you see no lumps. Whisk milk mixture into the sautéing onions and mushrooms. Taste and add bouillon cube, if desired (You may want to use additional milk if you do). Boil until thickened to preferred consistency. Put into a gravy dish and serve alongside the baked chicken.

MY MOTHER'S PRAISED CHICKEN

Steps:

• On a washable board, un-truss the chicken, put it breast-side down, and press down until you hear the breastbone crack. (As you may imagine, I like this.) Then press down again, so that the chicken is flattened slightly. Now cut off the ankle joint below the drumstick (but keep them); I find kitchen scissors up to the task.
• Put the oil in a large, flame-safe cooking pot (with a lid) in which the chicken can fit snugly: mine is about 11 inches wide by 4 inches deep. Heat the oil over medium heat and add the chicken, breast side down. Brown the chicken for a few minutes, then raise the heat and turn the chicken over, tossing in the ankle joints as you do so. Add the wine or vermouth and let it bubble down a little before adding the leeks, carrots, and celery.
• Pour in enough cold water to cover the chicken, though the very top of it may poke out. Add the bouquet garni or your herbs of choice, and the parsley stalks or sprigs along with the salt and red peppercorns or a good grinding of regular pepper.
• The chicken should be almost completely submerged by now and if not, do add some more cold water. You want it just about covered.
• Bring to a bubble, clamp on the lid, turn the heat to very low, and let cook for 1 1/2 hours, or 1 hour 40 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let stand, covered, for 20 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle the chicken with parsley leaves.
• Serve the chicken and accompanying vegetables with brown basmati rice, adding a ladleful or 2 of liquid over each shallow bowl, as you go, and putting fresh dill and mustard on the table for the eaters to add as they wish.
• Freeze Note: The cooked meat can be frozen, as soon as it is cool, in resealable bags or airtight containers for up to 2 months.

MY MAMAS FRIED CHICKEN WITH MILK GRAVY

Steps:

• Combine 1 cup flour, thyme, onion powder, paprika, salt and 1/2 t. pepper in a large plastic zip-lock bag. Add chicken to bag, one or 2 pieces at a time; shake to coat well. Dip chicken into buttermilk, return to bag and shake to coat.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and saute 15 minutes, turning to cook evenly until golden.
• Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, uncovered, 35 to 40 minutes or until chicken is tender and juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a fork.
• Remove chicken and place on a plate lined with a paper towel. Reserve the drippings, cover chicken to keep warm.
• Stir bouillon, remaining flour and remaining pepper into skillet drippings, scraping up any browned bits (that's the good stuff). Add milk.
• Cook and stir with a whisk over medium heat until thickened and bubbly; cook and stir one to two more minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot gravy over chicken and potatos. Serves 4.