baking powder
Best Fried Chicken
Today, on the 4th of July, I want you to experience freedom! Freedom from the fear of cooking fried chicken at home, and this is just the recipe to do it! It’s absolutely perfect, not only for your Independence Day picnic or celebration, but next Tuesday is National Fried Chicken Day, so you have a legitimate excuse to make a double (or triple!) batch and enjoy it all week! I came across this fried chicken recipe in Cook’s Country Magazine. I was looking for a method that would yield an extra crispy on the outside, super moist on the inside version, and I found it in this recipe! First let’s talk about what makes this chicken moist. It gets soaked in buttermilk and salt brine which helps the chicken retain moisture and also gives it a wonderful flavor. What makes the outside crispy is the combination of flour and spices that the chicken is dredged in, and then refrigerated for several hours or overnight. When you get ready to fry the chicken, that coating has pretty much glued itself to the chicken making it the perfect crispy crust I was hoping for! If your turns out the way I think it will, it’s going to be winner, winner chicken dinner!
Watch my How To Video for Best Fried Chicken here!
Best Fried Chicken
S’mores Bars
Many things will be different this Memorial Day as we celebrate the official launch of summer while honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. But some things will always remain the same, namely our obsession with the perfect campout treat—S’Mores! This year, if you’re opting to stay home instead of heading for the campgrounds, I’ve got the perfect solution for your “campfireless” sweet tooth. It’s a delicious recipe for S’mores Bars that can be devoured right out of the oven! To be perfectly honest, I love these even more than the originals. They aren’t as messy and they’re a cinch to make! S’Mores Bars have all of the same ingredients, just assembled a little differently. These bars start with a graham cracker crust which you can make with either store bought graham cracker crumbs, or with ground up graham crackers. (My suggestion is to grind your own crumbs. Much tastier!) Once you bake your cookie base, you’ll add the chocolate bars, then the Marshmallow Fluff and top with more cookie crumbs! You can use melted marshmallows for the filling, but the marshmallow cream is a lot easier to spread. Then, all that’s left is to bake them up and then cut them into beautiful yummy bars! This Memorial Day weekend, make this fun treat that’s easier to eat… without the fire!
Watch my How To Video for S’Mores Bars here!
S’mores Bars
Lemon Pudding Cake
It’s one of those miracle desserts that goes into the oven as a cake batter and comes out baked with two distinct layers. The bottom layer becomes a luscious, lemony pudding and the top becomes a light and delicate cake! How does that happen? I’m assuming it has something to do with the amount of liquid this recipe has. Since liquids like milk and whipping cream are heavy, they settle down into the bottom of the dish, which creates the pudding. But I’m no scientist, just a lemon dessert addict and think a lot of you are too! One of the most popular lemon desserts are Lemon Bars (or Lemon Squares.) Well, this Lemon Pudding Cake will give them a run for their money! I employed a technique that allows the zest of three large lemons to steep in a simmering milk and heavy cream mixture. After it sits for about 15 minutes, you strain the lemon zest and what you have left is delicious milk with lemon essence! Then, the juice from the lemons is what gives it the punch! A little topping of whipped cream and you have a fabulous dessert served in individual ramekins that have baked in a water bath. I love this recipe and I hope you will too!
Watch my How To Video for Lemon Pudding Cake here!
