An ODE to Chicken in New York City

Souther Fried Chicken Recipe:

Courtesy of Paula Deen:

House Seasoning

1 cup salt 

1/4 cup black pepper

1/4 cup garlic powder

Southern Fried Chicken:

4 eggs

1/3 cup water

1 cup hot red pepper sauce

2 cups self-rising flour

1 teaspoon pepper

House Seasoning

2 1/2-pound chicken, cut into pieces

Oil, for frying, preferably peanut oil

In a medium size bowl, beat the eggs with the water. Add enough hot sauce so the egg mixture is bright orange. In another bowl, combine the flour and pepper. Season the chicken with the House Seasoning. Dip the seasoned chicken in the egg, and then coat well in the flour mixture.

Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a deep pot. Do not fill the pot more than 1/2 full with oil.

Fry the chicken in the oil until brown and crisp. Dark meat takes longer than white meat. It should take dark meat about 13 to 14 minutes, white meat around 8 to 10 minutes.

Making some chicken?? Here's some creative ideas:

• Paprika chicken grills

Try brushing chicken breasts (on the bone) with a mixture of butter and mustard, and dust with paprika.  Grill on both sides, basting as you go, and finish with a squeeze of lemon juice.

• Camembert and cranberry chicken pockets

• Pancetta chicken escalopes

BEER CAN CHICKEN RECIPE:

• 1 (4-pound) whole chicken
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons of your favorite dry spice rub
• 1 can beer

Remove neck and giblets from chicken and discard. Rinse chicken inside and out, and pat dry with paper towels. Rub chicken lightly with oil then rub inside and out with salt, pepper and dry rub. Set aside.

Open beer can and take several gulps (make them big gulps so that the can is half full). Place beer can on a solid surface. Grabbing a chicken leg in each hand, plunk the bird cavity over the beer can. Transfer the bird-on-a-can to your grill and place in the center of the grate, balancing the bird on its 2 legs and the can like a tripod.

Cook the chicken over medium-high, indirect heat (i.e. no coals or burners on directly under the bird), with the grill cover on, for approximately 1 1/4 hours or until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F in the breast area and 180 degrees F in the thigh, or until the thigh juice runs clear when stabbed with a sharp knife. Remove from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before carving.