July 6ith is National Fried Chicken Day #NationalFriedChickenDay, The other night I asked Charlie if he wanted Chicken Fried Steak, Pork Chops or Homemade Fried Chicken, Charlie surprised David and I in a way when Charlie picked Homemade Fried Chicken. we took out the Breast I had purchased to use for Chicken and Rice.
David got home that afternoon and got out my Electric Skiler he had purchase for me to cook Chicken in. Then David got out a Flour we use that has all the Seasonings in it instead of using a Flour & Water mixture like my dad did growing up and he is the one who taught me to cook Chicken. Let me tell you that Chicken was Smack Yo’ Mama Good.
David left a couple of the Breast on the bone the way Chicken should be eaten. Then he de-boned two of the Breast and cut them into Homemade Chicken Strips for Charlie. On the way home David had his mom stop at Kroger’s and he picked up a pack of Thighs for me and fried them and omg I think that Chicken tasted better than mine. But don’t tell David because it would go to his head and I wouldn’t want to hurt my dad’s feelings if he was here. Which we all know he isn’t and I sure miss him on days like this. Having the Fried Chicken allowed my family to celebrate July 6 National Fried Chicken Day #NationalFriedChickenDay early.
Fried Chicken’s a greasy, comfort food enjoyed all over the world. But did you know that the ultimate soul food originated in our own backyard — where Scottish Chicken-frying methods were combined with West African Seasoning traditions — to create what is now one of the world’s favorite guilty pleasures?
Did you know Fried Chicken was an expensive delicacy up until World War II, but thanks to mass production techniques, we’re now able to indulge ourselves on the cheap in almost any City in the world. On July 6th, we get out our buckets ‘o’ Chicken and napkins, because it’s National Fried Chicken Day.
American fried Chicken is considered the best, but Americans weren’t the first to Fry Chicken. Europeans were already frying Chickens back in the Middle Ages, but it was the Scottish immigrants to the U.S. who brought with them their tradition of deep-frying Chicken in fat. Their preferred style of eating fried Chicken was with no Seasoning so their recipe was slightly bland.
African slaves of the Scottish immigrants adopted the fried Chicken recipe, often adding more Spices as their own unique touch in the way fried Chicken was cooked. This dish of Fried Chicken became a staple in many Southern-American households when African slaves became b cooks there.
One basis of this theory is from James Boswell’s journal titled “Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides.” In 1773, James Boswell wrote about eating Fricassee of fowl for dinner, served by the locals — “fried Chicken or something like that.” The earliest known recipe for fried Chicken was written by Hannah Glasse in the 18th century in her cookbook titled “The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy.” Hannah Glass recipe was strangely named ‘To Marinate Chickens,’ and its first publication was in 1747.
The history of fried Chicken wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the king of fried Chicken himself, Colonel Harland David Sanders. After doing a range of jobs, Colonel Harland David Sanders came up with the genius idea of cooking fried Chicken fast using a blend of Seasoning and a pressure cooker.
When Colonel Harland Davidd Sanders first started selling Chicken at his restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, it wasn’t an instant success. At the age of 65, he hit the road selling his fried Chicken under the name “Kentucky Fried Chicken.” As part of his business, he adopted the title of Colonel. By 1964, when he sold his company, there were 600 KFC franchises all over the Country.
Fried Chicken continues to spark the interest of food lovers and consumers. In 2019, Popeye’s launched their fried Chicken Sandwich, which caused a huge sensation. The craze and hype for the Chicken Sandwich continue until the present, with an ongoing ‘Chicken war’ between competing franchises.
TRADITIONS
Did you know it is a tradition to consume a bucket (or two) of fried Chicken. Fried chicken is addictively good and unparalleled in taste. Fried Chicken is consumed in high quantities daily all over the world, but on National Fried Chicken Day, it will be sinful to not indulge in fried Chicken. The more the merrier.
Fried Chicken is all the rage these days, with ‘Chicken wars’ taking place between franchises. Great deals and limited edition fried Chicken variations are offered, with people begging to take advantage of them and get their favorite chicken. Social media blows up with fans pledging to their choice of Chicken, and the hot topic of the day is “which fried Chicken is the best of all?” Fried Chicken is prepared with different ingredients and methods in different communities, and Countries. Cooking and trying variations of Fried Chicken is also traditional.
NATIONAL FRIED CHICKEN DAY ACTIVITIES
- Fry Chicken up yourself if you don’t have a recipe then you can find one online then hit the kitchen, and get to cooking. Serve the results to family and friends.
- Fast food Fried Chicken is delicious, but on this National Fried Chicken Day, step up your Fried Chicken game. Try the real thing by finding an authentic Southern restaurant in your area. Chances are Fried Chicken occupies a prominent place on the menu.
- Fried Chicken is traditionally a family meal shared from a common bucket, bowl, or plate. Surprise your coworkers by carting a giant bucket ‘o’ Chicken to the office and enjoying it together during your lunch hour. Make sure to bring plenty of napkins. Nobody wants greasy keyboards.
FACTS ABOUT FRIED CHICKEN
- KFC wasn’t an overnight success it took Colonel Sanders a long time to get his recipe to catch on.
- Fried Chicken has different traditions in Japan, a bucket of KFC is a mandatory part of Christmas celebrations.
- Before World War II, Fried Chicken was only served on special occasions
- Chicken is fried differently around the world — in Korea, it is double-fried and coated in sweet and spicy Sauce and, in Japan, it is cut into little pieces before frying.
- In Gainesville, Georgia it’s illegal to eat Fried Chicken with a fork or any utensil other than your hands!
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL FRIED CHICKEN DAY
- Fried Chicken acted as a means to empower slaves, who were able to generate independent cash flows by selling Chicken.
- Chicken became popular prior to the Civil War since Chickens were the only animals slaves were allowed to own and raise.
- Spicy? Extra crispy? Regular? There are as many ways to cook Fried Chicken as there are people lined up to eat Fried Chicken. Fried Chicken can be dunked in Vegetable Shortening, Lard, Peanut Oil, or any other Oil of your choice. Can you believe Charlie wants to try Peanut Oil.
- You can leave most of your manners at the door because like Pork Chops Fried Chicken is better when eaten with the hands and no, utensils are used and sloppily, noisily, and with a lot of passion.
Recipe for Chicken Fried Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken cut up into frying pieces OR 8-12 pieces legs and thighs
- 2 eggs beaten
- ½ cup Milk
- 1 Tablespoon Salt
- ½ Tablespoon Pepper
- Flour around two cups or so
- 1 bottle vegetable oil
Instructions
- Cut the chicken pieces apart if necessary.
- Place the chicken pieces in a 9″ x 13″ glass baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Pour this mixture over the chicken pieces. Turn the pieces to coat evenly.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours. At one hour turn the pieces.
- When ready, pour one inch of vegetable oil into a large electric skillet (12″ by 16″) or deep walled frying pan. If using a frying pan you may need to fry in two batches.
- Preheat the oil to 350 degrees.
- Using tongs, place each of the chicken pieces into the electric skillet. Begin cooking and turn the pieces over every 5-7 minutes or so.
- Cook for 20-30 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy.
- Check for doneness by inserting a knife in one of the pieces and making sure the juice runs clear.
- When done, place the fried chicken pieces on a plate with a few layers of paper towel to drain.
- Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and you are ready to eat!
I remember as a child my parents and grandparents would use a whole Chicken they would cut up. I’ve cooked many whole Chickens but never learned to cut a Chicken up and David and Charlie don’t know how to either. Instead I purchase packages of Breasts, Thighs and Legs depending on who is eating. These packages are more convenient and more evenly sized. This helps the Chicken fry evenly.
Remember depending on how many pieces of chicken you have, you may need to double the quantities of egg, milk, salt, and pepper.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David cates
