26 May 2011
An Adult Variation on a Childhood Favorite
This week I tried this recipe from Giada De Laurentiis. It was taken from her Mother's Day episode and was super easy to make after a day at the office, or over the weekend while you're hanging out...
Recipe: Crispy chicken with rosemary-lemon salt
Giada De Laurentiis
Ingredients
Vegetable oil for frying
Salt
1 (6-inch) sprig fresh rosemary
1/4 cup kosher salt
Zest of 1/2 large lemon
Chicken
1 pound chicken tenders, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
Zest of 1/2 large lemon
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup fine cornmeal or instant polenta
Preparation
For the salt: Heat 1/4-inch of oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat (the oil is hot enough when a pinch of cornmeal sizzles when added to the pan). Add the rosemary sprig and fry for 30 seconds until crisp. Using tongs, remove the rosemary sprig and drain on paper towels. Remove the leaves and finely chop to yield 1 tablespoon. Place the rosemary, salt and lemon zest in a small bowl. Mix with a fork until combined. Set aside.
For the chicken: In a medium bowl, mix together the chicken, garlic, chopped rosemary, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Add the cornmeal and toss until the chicken is coated. Add 1/2 of the chicken to the same skillet used to cook the rosemary and fry for 2 to 3 minutes each side until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Sprinkle with the rosemary-lemon salt and serve.
Prep time: 10 minutes; Cook time: 5 to 7 minutes
Serving Size
4 servings
This was part of a whole Mother's Day Menu which can be found HERE
I didn't have enough lemon zest to make the salt that went along with it...but I bet it's delicious! I remember salivating when I watched the show. Frying a rosemary sprig? Yes, please!
Lemon Zest and Rosemary
Once again, I used the recipe as a guideline. I think it could have benefited from even more lemon ;) But they were delicious! Sort of took me back to when I was a kid and my best friend, Alison, and I would have movie marathon/slumber parties and chow down on chicken nuggets. Good times.
XO
I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend! I'm going away...so will not be posting again until Tuesday!