Dinner tonight was fried chicken with the outlaws. Initially, they only wanted chicken pieces, but I convinced them to also do some wings. I ws nervous about doing the chicken as it was, so the wings were to have something I knew I could cook and they could munch those while waiting for the fried chicken pieces.
First off, the recipe for the chicken is here: Buttermilk-Cornmeal Fried Chicken
the wings were just taken from the package, trimmed into 2 pieces, and coated in flour seasoned with a tablespoon or 2 of Old Bay.
First off, here's the Bil having a "viewing" of my fryer.
We had to improvise a windbreak. The oil was heating, but not very fast. It was too dang cold and windy where I was set up.
Wings bubling away. Those 4 wings you see were all I had. No joke, that was my meal! I cooked over 50 pieces, and they were scarfed by the crew. Those 4 were rescued, at great risk to life and limb, by my loving wife. The sauce next to it is Gators Chipotle Texas Heat. Perfect dipping sauce.
Now for the chicken. There were 3 whole fryers marinating in buttermilk and dredged in the flour-cornmeal mix. They fried up good and crunchy, but the coating was too much like a fish fry batter for my tastes. Only problem I had was the chix took 15 minutes to cook. I could only cook 4 pieces at a time, so it was cook 4, let oil heat up, cook 4, etc. Not conducive to a family meal at all.
And Gator, we need to talk. I brought the Texas Heat over for folks to try, and try they did! I would say this is what they left me, but I'd be lying. They finished the bottle! My chilehead BIL couldn't get enough, and even the "wimp" friend had her share. You should get some business from this, bro!
Lessons learned from this cook:
1. I waited until 5 before I started asking about cooking dinner. I should have asked sooner. As it was, prep work and cooking was a lot later than I really wanted.
2. Next time, cook the chicken early and throw it into the oven. That way everyone can eat at the same time.
3. Bring more Texas Heat next time. Guess what's going in their stockings next Christmas.
I know what you mean about cooking for a crowd and the going is slow. The idea of starting earlier and keeping in a warm oven is excellent.