Ruth Anns Fried Chicken Recipes

Steps:

• Stir together the buttermilk, Dijon, paprika, cayenne and salt in a large bowl. Add the chicken pieces and submerge them to coat. Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes but ideally as long as possible (up to 2 hours at room temperature or up to 8 hours refrigerated).
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F; set a rack in a rimmed baking sheet.
• Combine the flour, salt, baking soda and mustard powder in a bowl. Remove the chicken from the soak mixture and add to the flour mixture, turning to coat. Remove, dip again in the soak mixture and then again in the flour mixture.
• Heat 1 1/2 inches of oil in a very large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, shallow-fry the chicken, turning once, until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part (avoid the bone) registers 165 degrees F, around 15 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking sheet and place in the oven to finish cooking through, if necessary.
• Serve fired chicken with plum cornbread and bacon green beans.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8-inch cast-iron skillet or an 8- by 8-inch square baking pan.
• Combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. Combine the milk, honey, vanilla and eggs in another mixing bowl and whisk to thoroughly combine. Just before combining the wet and dry ingredients, whisk in the melted butter into the wet mixture. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into the well. Mix gently to combine. When the mixture has just come together, transfer it to the prepared skillet or baking pan. Sprinkle the plums in an even layer over the top of the batter. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool before cutting.
• Bring a stock pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Prepare a bowl of ice water and shock the beans to stop the cooking process. Add the oil and bacon to a saute pan over medium-high heat. Let the bacon cook until its crunchy. Mix in the green beans and toss to coat with the bacon.

Steps:

• Take your cut up chicken pieces and skin them if you prefer. Put the flour in a large plastic bag (let the amount of chicken you are cooking dictate the amount of flour you use). Season the flour with paprika, salt and pepper to taste (paprika helps to brown the chicken).
• Dip chicken pieces in buttermilk then, a few at a time, put them in the bag with the flour, seal the bag and shake to coat well. Place the coated chicken on a cookie sheet or tray, and cover with a clean dish towel or waxed paper. LET SIT UNTIL THE FLOUR IS OF A PASTE-LIKE CONSISTENCY. THIS IS CRUCIAL!
• Fill a large skillet (cast iron is best) about 1/3 to 1/2 full with vegetable oil. Heat until VERY hot. Put in as many chicken pieces as the skillet can hold. Brown the chicken in HOT oil on both sides. When browned, reduce heat and cover skillet; let cook for 30 minutes (the chicken will be cooked through but not crispy). Remove cover, raise heat again and continue to fry until crispy.
• Drain the fried chicken on paper towels. Depending on how much chicken you have, you may have to fry in a few shifts. Keep the finished chicken in a slightly warm oven while preparing the rest.