FITD: Grandma Kelley's Fried Chicken

One of thing I've learned about talking about my grandmother's fried chicken recipe is that the response is visceral. Everyone has an opinion on which variation is the best: to soak in buttermilk or not? Oil versus Crisco? Deep fry or pan fry?

My response: your chicken, your way. :)

I don't know how old I was when I first learned how to make my grandma's chicken. Maybe seven?

As a kid, I used to love Kentucky Fried Chicken. Back when there was the Colonel and back before it was abbreviated.

And when my grandmother started the makings of fried chicken, I would screech at the top of my lungs, "TUCKIED chicken!!!"

Up until my grandmother died, she would always ask if I wanted Tuckied Chicken. :)

My job as assistant-tuckied chicken maker was clear: prep cook.

 My job was to coat the chicken pieces in the egg and flour mixture while Grandma heated the oil on the stove. During this time, we would talk and talk. And talk. About life. About family. And about The War. We talked a lot about The War.

Over the years, we made many batches of chicken together. And we talked a lot.

I know a few people have been asking for Grandma Kelley's Fried Chicken recipe, so here goes:

(no exact measurements--suit to taste)

Ingredients

1 whole fryer cut up

3 eggs

2 cups flour

s/p

1 cup oil

(Cayenne pepper if you want to cajun it up)

Directions

1. Heat oil in pan on medium in fry pan or cast iron skillet.

2. Beat eggs into small bowl.

3. Mix flour and seasonings into separate bowl.

4. Coat pieces in egg and dredge in lour mixture in fully-covered.

Cooking Directions

1. Let oil come to a low boil.

2. Place chicken breasts first--breast side down,

3. Keep turning until evenly browned and cooked all the way through. (About 10 minutes each side, depending on size.)

4. Transfer onto paper-towel covered plate to drain.

5. Add thighs and legs. These will take less time.

Use a meat thermometer if need be. 

Transfer all pieces to covered plates to drain.

(image courtesy of Framed In The Doorway)

xoxo

FITD love,

B

Vanity Restyle

I decided to tackle a bit of spring cleaning today, which also involved another restyle of my vanity.

This is just a snapshot of all of my favorite things together.

(You can still see a glimpse of my Chanel fragrances coupled with my great-grandmother's mirror.)

FITD love!

xoxo,

Bran

Art Student Saturday

As my birthday approaches (Monday!), I thought it would be fun to share how I am spending my birthday Saturday,

One thing I have always loved about my birthday. My celebration requires nothing big or small: it just requires meaning.

Tonight, my Beloved is making lobster on the grill--and sweet corn (heaven on earth if there is such a place!). :)

Today, however, I spent doing something that is meaningful to me: sitting outside and painting and drawing.

Yesterday, I went to Michael's to pick up some canvases for my acrylic work, and on a whim, picked up a book of watercolor paper.

Last night, I decided to call upon a good friend of mine in Texas who is a talented artist and accomplished in watercolor. I decided to ask her opinion about how to actually to DO watercolor.

(For those of you artists, this exchange is actually pretty funny.)

ME: Hey Donna! I have a question. I just bought a book of watercolor paper. I thought it would be fun to start something new. But I have to ask, "What 's my watercolor vs. acrylic ratio?

Donna: Well, watercolor doesn't exactly work like that.

And she very patiently runs me through a crash course in Watercolor 101.

(Poor Donna. I think she must die a little on the inside when I ask her certain questions. Like when I asked her if it was okay to run my paintbrushes through the dishwasher in a mesh lingerie bag. Her response: an emphatic: NO!!)

This morning, I took my paints and watercolor book outside and did my best. This is what I learned: watercolor is hard.

To that end, I thought  it wouldn't be a bad idea to own a sketch pad and learn how to draw. You know. A little.

As it happened, for my birthday, I picked up a (real live) book on fashion illustration, and it is beautiful. I always thought it would be fun to make my own clothing (or at least some pieces).

Two things thwart my dream:

• I can't draw.
• I can't sew.  

One of my greatest obstacles is that if something doesn't come easily to me, I don't want do it. I assume I can't. Writing it easy--well, easy in the mechanics and grammar--often more difficult in tone and audience.

Maybe this time I can tell myself differently. :)

(And writer's block: horrible)

My birthday efforts from today:

Watercolor adventure: grapes

Inner Grace Perfume Bottle

Inner Grace Font

Jo Malone Rendering

New Book!!

Pencil Skirt Rendering

 Thanks for letting me share!!

(images courtesy of Framed In The Doorway)

Pre-birthday love.

xo,

B