Extra Crunchy Fried Chicken Recipe

I have a little bit of confession here. This picture is a product of my own mix of recipes. I did not follow the exact recipe as below. I steamed my chicken drumsticks first to pre-cook and followed the batter recipe. The batter was spot on, and I used deep fryer. I never had a fried chicken that looked like this before.

Extra Crunchy Fried Chicken Full recipe as told by the book called Cooks Illustrated The Science of Good Cooking

1 cup plus 6 tablespoons buttermilk

1 tbsp salt

1 whole chicken (about 3 1/2 lbs) cut into 8 pcs
   (discarded wings and back reserved for stock)

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp garlic powder

4-5 cups frying oil

1. Whisk together 1 cup of buttermilk and salt in large bowl until salt is dissolved. Add chicken pieces to bowl and stir to coat; cover bowl overnight.

2. Whisk flour, baking powder, thyme, pepper and garlic powder together in large bowl. Add remaining 6 tbsp of buttermilk; with your fingers, rub flour and buttermilk together until buttermilk is evenly incorporated into flour mixture and resembles coarse wet sand.

3. Working in batches of 2, drop chicken pieces into flour mixture and turn to thoroughly coat , gently pressing flour mixture onto chicken. Shake excess flour from each piece of chicken and transfer to a wire rack set over rimmed baking sheet.

4. Heat Oil (it should measure 4/4 inch deep) in a Dutch oven  over medium-high heat until it reaches 375 degrees. Place chicken pieces skin down in oil, cover and fry until deep golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove lid after 4 minutes  and lift chicken for even browning; rearrange if some pieces are browning faster than the others. (At this point, oil should be about 300 degrees) Adjust burner if necessary to regulate the temperature of the oil). Turn chicken pieces over and continue to fry uncovered until chicken pieces are deep brown on second side, 6 to 8 minutes longer. (At this point, keep the chicken from browning too quickly, adjust burner to maintain oil temp about 315 degrees.) Using tongs, transfer chicken to paper towel-lined plate;let stand doe 15 minutes to drain.

How My Kids Scare Me

I had just tucked my baby to the swing for an afternoon nap. I successfully snicked  out and came flying downstairs to quickly wash the feeding bottles when I suddenly missed a step. The next thing I found myself was, I was laying on the floor calling my husband for help.

Here's the unthinkable part. While I was on the floor screaming from pain down my foot, all I could think of was "oh no! How do I get back upstairs to prompted my baby's bottle back? She needs me." I wasn't thinking if I broke a bone or anything that concerns my painful foot. I was more concerned, I had to put my baby her bottle back? HOW SILLY IS THAT!?

4 years ago, I never thought I would be more concerned more about milk bottle over a foot accident. I find it fascinating how motherhood  can change my way of thinking. 

Its funny and alarming to think that I would care so much about someone new, someone so selfish and someone barely I knew more than my life.

There are many things that scares me. My children scares me in a different way. "They grow up so fast", is not just an expression. I had this sudden fear when my children look up to me as if asking me a question " I just turned two .So what's next in life?", knowing I am still figuring life myself. Responsibility is not what frightens me. To see them get hurt is like experiencing death while living. 

I do not recognize the old me anymore. I guess that's healthy? Motherhood opened my eyes to see a whole different level of love. It changes me.There's a peculiar strength motherhood brings.

Strength in forgiveness

Strength to sacrifice
Strength to deny myself

Strength to execute selflessness.