Sunday Fried Chicken Any Day Of The Week - Why Not?

Growing up in our home there were several Sunday rituals. Changing into something my dad thought was appropriate for me to wear, searching for my missing shoes as we were trying to get out the door for church, singing some good old hymns in worship and coming home to watch my beautiful momma at the stove frying up the Sunday chicken. Don't forget the mashed potatoes and chicken gravy...The Best!

Our good friends raised the chickens we had stocked in our freezer and every year we would spend a full day at their house helping "dress" them. I've never understood why that process is referred to using that terminology. I don't recall it being a pleasant task but many hands made the job go faster and at the end of the day a little less painful.

Monte and I typically bake or grill our chicken. We like it either way and it's not near the mess that frying is. But every once in awhile I get a real hankerin' for some fried chicken. Tonight I used a package of Grateful Graze thighs (with skin on and bone in). Nothing fancy, just rolled in some flour, salt and pepper and drop it in a little hot oil. I used avocado oil tonight and it tasted great. Avocado oil is a healthier choice when cooking with oil and it cooks at higher temps without smoking and burning the chicken. Another benefit is it doesn't introduce any real flavor. I quartered up, boiled and mashed some potatoes. I poured off most of the left over oil leaving the brown goodness in the bottom of the pan. Made a roux from the left over flour I had rolled the chicken in, added to the pan drippings, stirred in some whole milk and seasoned with salt and pepper for some awesome gravy. (If I say so myself) And finished the meal off with a side of organic corn.

It was a simple and delightful meal. Full of flavor and as satisfying to the eye as it was to the taste buds! We sat and talked for a bit after dinner and recalled all the meals we've had the past five evenings. This week was a busy one with meetings and eating on the go. But we agreed this was the absolute best of the bunch. Sadly, it was the least expensive of the bunch too. Sad because we spent a lot of money on some "not so great food". Quality food is affordable. Don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise! Guess I'd better get to cleaning up that stove top.

The Happy Ranch Wife,

Robyn