Ozark Fried Chicken Recipes

Steps:

• Combine 1 tablespoon salt with 3 quarts water in a large bowl or container. Add chicken, cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight. Drain, rinse with cold water and pat dry.
• Stir together remaining 1 teaspoon salt and the black pepper. Sprinkle half the mixture evenly over chicken.
• In a large sealable plastic bag, combine remaining pepper mixture and flour. Add 2 pieces chicken to bag and shake well to coat. Remove chicken pieces, shaking off extra flour, and set aside. Repeat with remaining chicken.
• Take a large (10- or 12-inch) cast-iron skillet or chicken fryer, for which you have a lid, and fit with a candy or deep-frying thermometer. Add oil and bacon drippings and heat to 360 degrees over medium heat; the oil will ripple and possibly give off a few wisps of smoke.
• Using tongs, immediately add chicken pieces, skin side down (work in batches if necessary to avoid crowding pan). The oil will drop to about 325 degrees, where it should stay; adjust heat so that oil is bubbling gently around the pieces. Cover and cook 6 minutes; uncover and cook 9 minutes. Turn chicken pieces; cover and cook 6 minutes. Uncover and cook another 5 to 9 minutes, depending on size of pieces. If necessary for even browning, turn pieces over a few times toward the end.
• Drain on paper towels or paper bags. Let cool at least 20 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Cover chicken with water in large bowl. Stir 2 tablespoons salt into water. Refrigerate 12 hours or over night.
• Blend flour, cracker crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika in large, heavy duty, plastic freezer zip-type bag. Pour buttermilk into medium bowl.
• Remove chicken from water. Do not rinse. Pat chicken dry. Dredge each piece of chicken in flour mixture and place on large baking sheet to dry. Dip floured chicken pieces into buttermilk and re-dredge them in flour mixture a second time, placing back on baking sheet to dry.
• Heat oil over medium-high heat in large cast iron or electric skillet until hot but not smoking. Oil should be half way up sides of skillet. Carefully add chicken pieces and fry without crowding until golden brown and cooked through, about 15 minutes per side. If chicken browns too quickly, turn heat down to medium and watch carefully. Do not cover skillet or chicken will be steamed and not crispy.
• Drain and cool cooked chicken pieces on paper towels or brown grocery bag. Serve immediately or cool completely and store in refrigerator. Use skillet drippings to make cream gravy!

Steps:

• Line a standard loaf pan with plastic wrap, making sure it's pressed into the corners.
• Place the water in a size appropriate pan with a heavy bottom, OR a double boiler (if you don't want to watch it as closely). To me, faster is better, & mush cooks up over low heat very nicely w/ the occasional stir in a thick bottomed pot. If you have doubts, use the double boiler.
• Add the corn meal and salt to the cool water and place the pot on med- high heat. - If you want scrapple, add the sausage when you add the cornmeal & put your hand in the pot to break up the sausage very thoroughly.You don't want chunks of meat because it will be much harder to slice later.
• When the mush begins to boil, turn heat down to medium-low, cover, and stir every few minutes w/ a spatula to keep it from sticking and burning.
• Cook 20 minutes, stirring frequently, remove from heat and pour into the plastic lined loaf pan.
• Cool 10 - 15 minutes, cover w/ plastic, finish cooling on the counter, and chill at least four hours, or up to a week.
• Turn the loaf out onto the top covering of plastic wrap and slice 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, using a thin, sharp knife.
• Fry slices in a non-stick pan in the fat of your choice; just a drizzle in a non-stick pan does nicely. Fry over med to med low heat till the slices are nicely browned. I take my time when frying this, you want to develop a nice crunchy crust over the soft mush inside, and on high heat you'll brown it before it gets the texture we like.
• Serve hot w/ honey, syrup, or w/ butter and hot sauce. Good cold too.
• Mush cannot be frozen because the formation of ice crystals causes it to break up when thawed.

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, beat eggs and milk. In another bowl, combine flour and seasonings. Dip chicken pieces in egg mixture, then in flour mixture. , In a large skillet; brown chicken in oil on both sides. Cover and cook the chicken over low heat for 45 minutes or until juices run clear. Remove chicken from the skillet; keep warm. Reserve 1/4 cup drippings in skillet. , For gravy, stir in the flour, salt and pepper. Cook and stir over medium heat for 5 minutes or until browned. Combine milk and water; add to skillet. Bring to a boil; boil and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add browning sauce if desired. Serve with chicken. Garnish with oregano if desired.