God Bless every southern cook (every cook for that matter) who can make awesome fried chicken. Tonight I decided to let my inner Paula Dean take over and make this savory treat for my dear loving husband, sweet mother, and darling son.
My cooking history has not always been 100% so when I pulled the first batch out of the frying pan I was disappointed, but not surprised to find this:
But…I was determined. I looked at all five pieces of blackened chicken and brushed off my apron, and decided I had chosen the wrong vessel. I have a dear affection for my Robin’s Egg Blue Martha Stewart Dutch Oven, it is cast iron covered in enamel, and is my favorite big pot in the kitchen for soups. So naturally I thought I’ll just fill it up with oil, drop the buttermilk herb chicken in the pot and wa la delicious fried buttermilk Paula Dean approved chicken. FAIL…
My remedy? A new vessel to fry in with new oil at a lower temperature, much lower, and more patience. Thank God I had decided to make 2 batches. The first batch was for our family, and I was going to surprise our neighbors with the second batch. Needless to say, I did not surprise our neighbors, perhaps next time. My next vessel of choice was my faithful Xtrema 10′ Skillet. It takes a little effort to learn how to cook in this type of pan because it is a ceramic nano-glazed pan. It will not leach out toxins into your food and I must say after using it a few times I am hooked and would love to purchase more. As you can see round 2 looks more promising.
Everything about the way this chicken was cooking changed, the oil stayed cleaner, and I could not wait until it was finished frying. I was doing it! I was cooking and it was turning out okay, better than okay even.
Here is what round 2 chicken looked like…Behold…..
Sooooooooo Happy! After the chicken rested, and to be honest I could’ve used a good rest myself, I plated the delicious southern buttermilk fried chicken for Scott, and you know what? He ate every bite. SUCCESS!!!! When Scott arrived home and took one look at the Round 1 chicken he lovingly said, “What Happened?” So, I of course replied, “Ummm I guess I got the oil too hot.” I was pleased Scott gave me a second chance and I know he was hungry, but sweetheart that he is, he waited for Round 2 chicken. Seth, on the other hand requested Dinosaur Chicken, so by his time I was tired and popped some Dinosaur Chicken in the oven for Seth, and his little friend who was visiting. I made my own plate of Round 2 chicken, and one for my mom and enjoyed every bite. I have decided to make it more often so that I too can be a fried chicken queen like Paula Dean. It’s amazing how just changing “the vessel” and “the temperature” of your cooking can make a difference. God chooses us “the vessels” to do what we are called to do regardless of how “hot or cold” we are for Him, regardless of what we look like, or how well we perform. He lovingly and patiently waits for us to be all he has created us to be, and when we finally “get it” He too is excited and thrilled at how we turn out.
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