Tag: fried

Family · Family Favorites

Easy Peasy Oven Fried Chicken

cathysmaha2 Comments

One of the great cookbooks I received when I was newly married was Betty Crocker’s Dinner for Two Cookbook (love the $2.95 price tag).Dinner for two cookbook

A favorite recipe that I still refer to is the Oven-Fried Chicken.  I love fried chicken but I don’t enjoy standing over the stove cooking it.  This recipe has the flavor of a true fried chicken but with the simplicity of baking in the oven.

OVEN-FRIED CHICKEN

1/4 cup shortening or salad oil
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 tablespoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 pounds chicken pieces

  • Heat oven to 425 degrees. In oven melt shortening in baking pan.
  • Mix flour, salt, paprika, pepper in plastic or paper bag; shake chicken, 2 or 3 pieces at a time in bag until coated.
  • Place chicken skin side down in pan.
  • Bake uncovered 30 minutes. Turn chicken, bake until tender, 15 to 30 minutes longer.

2 Servings

Nicaragua

Plantains…not your ordinary banana

cathysmaha1 Comment

During a recent trip to Nicaragua, plantains (plátano in Spanish) were served as a side dish at many meals.  I recall having them in Puerto Rico a few years ago but these were especially sweet.  When I returned home, I bought two plantains at the local grocery store and let them turn almost black, the key to having a sweeter plantain. The plantain looks very much like a banana but is larger and harder to peel.

Fried Plantains

IMG_4743

FRIED PLAINTAINS

2 ripe plantains
Oil for frying (olive or canola oil)

  • Slice off the ends of the plantains, using a sharp knife.  Slit the skin from tip to tip.  Peel the skin off in one piece.
  • Cut the plantain in half crosswise, the in 4 slices across each segment

IMG_4745

  • Heat about 1/2-inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the plantains, a few pieces at a time, and sauté until lightly browned. Turn and sauté the second side.  To caramelize the plantains cooked for up to 20 minutes on medium to medium-low heat.

Fried Plantains

  • Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and repeat with the rest of the plantains. Sprinkle with a little salt. Serve hot.

This website is a great link to more information about cooking Plantains:

http://latinfood.about.com/od/latincaribbeancuisine101/a/about_plantains.htm