Southern Fried Chicken With Buttered Mashed Potatoes And Sauteed Peas And Tomatoes Recipes

FRIED CHICKEN AND MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Prepare the chicken: Put the buttermilk in a large bowl and set it next to your cutting board; as you cut pieces off the chicken, add them to the buttermilk. With a sharp knife, remove and discard the wing tips (or reserve for stock). Cut the wings from the chicken. Cut the thigh and leg away from the body; split this section into three pieces by separating the drumstick and then cutting the thigh in half. Repeat with other thigh and leg. With kitchen shears, snip off the rear and the back bone. Push down on the bird to break the breastbone; cut the breasts into 4 pieces.
• Season the buttermilk and chicken mixture with a healthy pinch of salt, the paprika, and the Tabasco. Stir to combine and coat the chicken. (The chicken can be cooked right away or marinated overnight.) Fill the oil to ¾-inch (2cm) deep in a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
• For the mashed potatoes: Peel the potatoes, cut into large chunks, and add to a large pot of simmering salted water. Cook at a low simmer until tender, 35-45 minutes. (Do not boil.)
• Combine the cornmeal, flour, ½ tablespoon (9g) salt and a generous amount of black pepper in a strong paper bag. Remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk marinade (reserving the marinade) and transfer them to the paper bag. Shake the bag to coat the chicken thoroughly.
• Whisk the eggs into the remaining marinade; return the floured chicken pieces to the marinade and stir to coat again. In batches, transfer the chicken pieces back to the paper bag and shake to coat with the flour mixture again.
• Starting with the biggest pieces, place the chicken in the hot oil and fry until cooked through and golden-brown, 18-20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes. (Depending on the size of your skillet, you may need to fry in batches.) Adjust the temperature to make sure the heat is constant. Transfer cooked chicken pieces to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt. Serve the chicken hot or at room temperature. (To reheat cold chicken: Place on a tray and into an oven at 300 degrees F for about 20 minutes, to crisp up the skin.)
• Drain the potatoes, reserving 1 cup (240ml) of the cooking liquid in the pot. Place the potatoes back in the pot and add the cream and butter; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and mash with an old-fashioned potato masher to desired texture.
• Mound the mashed potatoes on a rimmed platter and serve with the fried chicken.

PAN-FRIED CHICKEN WITH MASHED POTATOES AND GRAVY

Steps:

• Place bacon in a large, deep-sided skillet over medium heat. Cook, turning occasionally, until crispy, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels and crumble when cool enough to handle. Leave grease in the skillet.
• Lightly season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Cook in the bacon grease over medium heat until browned and the juices run clear, about 5 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove chicken to a plate.
• Add potatoes to the skillet and fry until fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer potatoes to a bowl, then mash. Add butter and mash until combined. Add milk and mash until smooth. Mix in crumbled bacon and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Add flour to remaining oil in the skillet. Whisk over medium-low heat until a roux forms. Add chicken broth, a little at a time, whisking as you do until a sauce forms that is a little thinner than gravy. Simmer gravy until it thickens, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.
• Serve gravy over potatoes and chicken.