Savory Southern Fried Seasoning Food

SAVORY SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• NOTE: YOU CAN SINGLE-BREAD OR DOUBLE-BREAD CHICKEN WITH THIS RECIPE (SEE STEP 6).
• WHISK 2 quarts cold water (8 cups) with 2 tablespoons fine sea salt and 2 teaspoons Accent seasoning in a large wide saucepan (with an accompanying lid) until dissolved, for the BRINE.
• RINSE and blot chicken pieces; ADD chicken pieces to marinade; COVER and transfer to refrigerator; MARINATE chicken at least 4 hours in refrigerator (preferably overnight), turning chicken as needed.
• INTO a large Ziploc bag, add the BREADING ingredients; BREAK up any clumps if present, by hand or using the back of a spoon; SEAL bag containing mixture; SHAKE well until combined.
• BEAT 4 eggs in a large bowl, for the EGGWASH; REMOVE chicken from brine with tongs; BLOT pieces with paper towels.
• TO SINGLE-BREAD CHICKEN: Dip one piece breaded chicken using tongs, into the eggwash to wet completely. Drop chicken into the breading. Roll chicken well in the breading to coat. Place breaded chicken onto platter to rest for 15-20 minutes. Repeat with remaining pieces. TO DOUBLE-BREAD CHICKEN: Add 5 teaspoons flour plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch to breading and mix well. Drop chicken into the breading and roll it well in the breading to coat. Drop chicken into the eggwash to wet completely. Quickly return chicken to the breading and roll again to coat well. Place double-breaded chicken onto platter to rest for 15-20 minutes. Repeat with remaining pieces.
• PREHEAT manufacturer's recommended amount of peanut oil in deep-fryer between to 315°F (OR) preheat enough oil to immerse chicken completely in deep heavy stovetop pot between to 315°F (use a heat-safe thermometer to gauge).
• PLACE breaded chicken to the elevated fry basket in deep-fryer without crowding; LOWER the basket slowly into the hot oil (or gently lower breaded chicken pieces using tongs into stovetop pot, turning once halfway through frying duration).
• FRY chicken between 16-20 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked, depending on chicken portions/sizes (juices should run clear when chicken is done).
• DRAIN on a wire rack over a paper towel-lined baking sheet; REPEAT the same cooking procedures until all chicken is fried. DRAIN chicken on a wire rack over a paper towel-lined baking sheet; TRANSFER rack over a baking sheet and keep chicken warmed in a preheated 170°F oven until serving; SERVE and enjoy!

SAVORY SOUTHERN FRIED SEASONING

Steps:

• 3/8 TEASPOON IS 1/4 TEASPOON PLUS ONE-HALF OF 1/4 TEASPOON. TO PREPARE A SINGLE BATCH OF FRIED CHICKEN OR TWO BATCHES PORK CHOPS OR CHICKEN FRIED STEAK, FOLLOW THIS RECIPE: 1 tablespoon fine sea salt, 1 tablespoon ground black pepper, 2 teaspoons celery salt, 2 teaspoons ground sage, 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons powdered sugar, 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme, 1.4 teaspoon ground mace (or 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg), 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon ground rosemary, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Shake mixture well in a resealable container with 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour and 1/4 cup cornstarch.
• GRIND fennel seeds, rosemary leaf, and thyme, separately in a clean spice mill or coffee grinder, as finely as possible (for best grinding results, use 4 tablespoons of each).
• MEASURE all recipe ingredients into a medium resealable container then seal.
• SHAKE container well until thoroughly blended (if necessary, break up any clumps by pressing mixture with the back of a spoon, then re-seal and shake mixture again).
• STORE tightly sealed in a cool, dry place away from light.
• FOR FRIED CHICKEN BREADING: Measure 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch and 1/3 level cup of this seasoning in a resealable container. Seal and shake well. If double-breading chicken, add an another 5 teaspoons flour and 1 teaspoon cornstarch to breading.
• FOR CHICKEN FRIED STEAK OR PORK CHOP BREADING: Measure 7/8 cup of flour (3/4 cup, plus 2 tablespoons), 2 tablespoons cornstarch, and 8 teaspoons (2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons) of this seasoning into a resealable container. Seal and shake well. If double-breading chicken fried steak or pork chops, add an another 5 teaspoons flour and 1 teaspoon cornstarch to breading.
• ENJOY!

TUSCAN PORK CHOPS (OR CHICKEN) WITH ROSEMARY

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, cover the sun-dried tomato pieces with chicken broth and madeira; bring to a boil, remove from heat and allow to stand about 10 minutes to plump the tomatoes.
• Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-heat.
• Add the pork chops and brown on both sides; remove from skillet and set aside.
• Add shallots and garlic to the skillet and cook briefly (till they become fragrant).
• Stir in tomatoes with the liquid and chopped rosemary.
• Return the chops to the skillet, cover tightly and cook over low heat (just simmering) for 5 to 6 minutes (longer as needed for chicken breasts) until they are cooked through.
• Remove the meat from the skillet to serving platter.
• Combine water and cornstarch; add to the skillet.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.
• Top the meat with the sauce and serve.

SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat peanut oil in a large deep pot to 350°F (do not fill more than half full--you don't want a hot-oil spill-over accident!).
• For sauce mixture: in a medium-sized bowl, beat the eggs with the water.
• Add hot sauce and whisk together well.
• Pour this mixture into a large plastic zip-top bag.
• For seasoning mixture: In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
• For dredging mixture: In a another bowl, mix flour, baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Rinse and pat dry chicken pieces with a paper towel.
• Cut breast pieces in half across ribs.
• Sprinkle chicken generously on both sides with seasoning blend.
• Drop a few chicken pieces of chicken into bag of sauce mixture and squish around to coat thoroughly.
• One piece at a time, roll chicken in flour mixture and drop into hot oil.
• Don't crowd chicken pieces--I cook about half the chicken at a time.
• Fry chicken until brown and crisp.
• Drain on paper toweling.
• Dark meat will take about 14 minutes, white meat about 10 minutes.
• Remember smaller pieces cook faster than the larger ones.
• You can check for doneness by piercing to the bone in the thickest part with a fork.
• If the juices run clear, it is done.

SAVORY SEASONING

Steps:

• Combine everything together in a container with a tight lid. I prefer a glass jar as I feel the potency remains longer then in plastic.
• Shake or stir well. Store in cool area. Do Not Refrigerate!
• This tends to settle, so stir well before using.
• I love using this when I'm saute onions for the base of a soup or stew -- just about any kind except lamb.
• It also makes a different rub for chicken.