A Little Soul Food....

Last night we had a little soul food. It was greasy and fried and yummy. I have only made fried chicken once in my life. I prefer to keep things a little more natural and clean but it was good and we ate it all. I don't feel entirely guilty. It was organic and fried in coconut oil. Finger licking good. I was quite proud of myself. Perfectly golden and crunchy. Miss Paula Deen lent me her recipe. (Courtesy of the Food Network)


I kept on the fried theme and made some fried zucchini because I have seven of them in the fridge (sorry, no picture) and some cajun oven roasted fries (see below). Of course we had to have a fresh green salad and some watermelon to add to the nutrition factor. The crowd was pleased. All 6 of them.

If you would like to have a little soul food yourself, here are a couple recipes to try out. You won't be disappointed; well, unless you burn the chicken or substitute the ingredients for something less flavorful.

Southern Fried Chicken

Paula Deen

First off, make the house seasoning. There will be lots extra to keep on hand for other dishes. It is a great, all purpose blend:

1 cup sea salt

1/4 cup black pepper

1/4 cup garlic powder

Mix and store in container. Cut up chicken into tender size pieces or buy some tenders to start off with. 

Sprinkle well with the house seasoning.

Make the dredging mixture:

2 cups white flour

1 tsp pepper

1 T. house seasoning

Make the wash by whisking together:

2 eggs

1/3 cup water

1/4 cup tobasco pepper sauce

Dip the chicken in the egg wash and then in the flour mixture. Lay on wire rack while you are finishing the bunch.

Fry in hot oil, about 350 degrees until crisp and golden. 

I used the same mixture to do my fried zucchini since there was plenty left after I fried 3 pounds of chicken. If you are doing less, just half the ingredients. 

Cajun Oven Fries

8 golden potatoes

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp thyme

2 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp cayenne

14 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp cumin

1 tsp salt

2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp tobasco sauce

2 T. olive oil

Preheat oven to 400. mix ingredients above into a paste. 

Cut potatoes into small wedges. Place them in a bowl and drizzle with a little olive oil. Add paste mixture and sprinkle about 2 T. of dried onion pieces and work around potatoes until they are covered well.

Lightly oil a baking sheet. Place fries on sheet trying to keep them in a single layer.

Bake in oven around 30 minutes or until golden. Flip once during cooking.