RECIPE: Q's Southern Fried Chicken Strips

It has been a while since I've posted here, so what better way to update than with a recipe. I love to cook and as evidenced by my mid-section, I love to eat too. Recently I have begun cooking more foods from scratch, therefore I am better able to control what goes into our food. Typically, I will make out a weekly menu and this particular meal had been on the menu for some time and had been pushed back several times. It turned out pretty good and will definitely be going into the meal rotation. I would have included a picture but it did not last long enough to dig the camera out.

Q's Southern Fried Chicken Strips

4 cups vegetable oil for deep frying
4 chicken breasts
Cajun Seasoning to taste (I use Cajun's Choice Blackend Seasoning), or seasoning salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika

Heat oil in large cast iron skillet (if you don't have a cast iron skillet use a large heavy pot) to 350 degrees F.

Cut chicken into strips about 1/2" wide by 3" long. Place chicken strips in baking dish and sprinkle with blackened seasoning or seasoning salt according to your taste. Be sure to give seasoned chicken a good rub to be sure seasoning sticks to chicken. Pour buttermilk over chicken and turn to coat.

While chicken is absorbing the buttermilk goodness combine flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and paprika and mix thoroughly. Place mixture in shallow dish (I use a pie tin).

Dredge chicken strips in flour mixture and carefully transfer to hot oil a few at a time (do not overcrowd chicken strips) and cook until outside is golden brown and inside is thoroughly cooked. To ensure doneness remove the largest piece and cut strip in thickest part. If done, eat the piece of chicken without being noticed and remove remaining strips and allow to drain on paper towels. As you will most likely be cooking in batches you may need to do this with each batch. Once all chicken is done serve with your choice of sides and enjoy.

A Lesson Learned

You know that saying, "You never stop learning." Well, I fully believe it. Especially since I learned something new today.

Today is a warm day in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The temperature reached into the lower nineties and the old apartment was beginning to get a little warm. We are not allowed to have window air conditioners and the portable units are too expensive to even consider. However, our car does have air conditioning and a drive is still a whole lot cheaper than a movie. Off we went and on the way we dropped a couple of letters at the post office and then headed over to the car wash. I pull up to the attendant and pay for the wash. Then I do a ritual "checking of the windows," making sure they are all fully in their closed position. I then hit the "window lock" switch to make sure none of the backseat passengers can suddenly open their window. With that checked and locked I decide we are ready for the car wash. I soon feel a drop or two of water on my left arm and double check my window. Yep, it is up. Then came the soap, and I notice a few soap bubbles coming in at the top of the door. Once again I check my window and indeed it is still up. Then comes the high pressure rinse and my second shower of the day (for the left side of my body anyway). It is at this point I realize that my door is not fully closed. I am laughing, my wife is laughing, the kids are laughing, and I am wet. Once we pull out of the car wash I grabbed a towel from my trunk and dried both myself and the inside of the car.

So next time you get a car wash, heed my advice and be sure not only that your windows are up but that your doors are also fully closed.

We continued on our little drive enjoying the countryside and ending our trip at the local Dairy Queen. Nothing like a little frozen treat on a hot day, not to mention a cold shower.

Heavy Thoughts

Over the past week or so I have attempted to write several blog posts but have stopped short of completing any of them. I will not get into any of those thoughts or ideas tonight, at least not in detail. I have been thinking about the condition of our country. I believe the total collapse of our economy is near, not just our economy, but the world economy as well. I fear what will arise out of the ashes. Integrity and morality do not seem to have a place in our society. God and Christian Faith are under attack and I fear a time of great persecution is just around the corner. I see so much happening, I am in disbelief. I often ask what can I do? I do not have any influence. I am not an articulate speaker. I only have a handful of readers on this blog. What can I do? I can only come to one conclusion, and that is to pray. Pray that God will deliver us from this turmoil and strife and if it is not His will, then gives us the strength to persevere.

I often find myself hoping for a trumpet sound and the glorious return of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Now that really is hope and change I can get into. Come Lord Jesus, come.