Southern Girl Cooks: Oven Fried Chicken

One thing Southern people love is fried food. I'm a victim of it, there is just something delicious about fried chicken, fried pickles, fried veggies, and even fried snickers (which I eat annually at the fair). Unfortunately all these delicious things aren't healthy for you and you can't keep your ticker tickin' if you're clogging it with grease. Well, I decided it was time to start making:

Oven Fried Chicken

 

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 pounds of chicken
• 1 cup dried bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup mayonnaise

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl or gallon size resealable plastic bag, mix together the bread crumbs, garlic powder, salt, pepper, thyme and paprika.
3. Coat the chicken pieces with buttermilk. Place chicken pieces in bowl/bag with bread crumb mixture and coat/shake until well coated. Place chicken pieces in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish and bake for 45 minutes or until juices run clear.

I sometimes mix things up and add other seasoning to the bread crumbs. I also mix up the toppings and use flour, corn flakes, and even French Fried Onions. Occasionally I will start frying the chicken normally and then put it in a pan and bake it the rest of the way. This way it helps cut down the calories, but still gives you the taste!



Southern Girl Cooks: Watermelon Salsa

Summer is just around the corner, and watermelons are going to be selling like hotcakes. I don't know about you, but I love love love salsa. Down here it is often refered to as redneck caviar.

I have not tried this salsa, but I am planning to as soon as watermelons get a little cheaper than $6 or more a piece. If you try it, let me know what you think!

Ingredients

• 2 cups seeded and coarsely chopped watermelon
• 2 tablespoons chopped onion
• 3 tablespoons seeded, chopped Anaheim chile
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Directions

1. In a serving bowl, mix together the watermelon, onion, and chile pepper. Season with balsamic vinegar and garlic salt. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to blend flavors.

Southern Girl Cooks: Mac & Cheese

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Yield: Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 pepper, or to taste
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup light cream or half-and-half (or more milk)
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 3/4 cup breadcrumbs tossed with 2 tablespoons melted butter

Preparation:

Cook macaroni following package directions. Drain in a colander and rinse with hot water; set aside.

Butter a 2-quart baking dish. Heat oven to 350°. In a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Stir flour into the butter until smooth and bubbly. Stir in the dry mustard, salt, and pepper. Gradually add milk and cream, stirring constantly. continue to cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Add cheese and continue to cook and stir until melted.
Combine the macaroni and the sauce and turn into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the buttered bread crumbs and bake for about 25 minutes, or until hot and bubbly and topping is lightly browned.
Serves 6.