Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Betty Grable legs and thighs




As you know, I nearly always buy whole chickens. After making milanesa from the breast meat the other day, I decided to tinker with the recipe with the legs, thighs and wings. It will surprise you to know that I did not brine them. Instead I decided to do a marinade of equal parts low fat yogurt, mayo, and 1 Tbs miso paste. After coating them with homemade breadcrumbs, I baked them at 375 for 40 minutes. They were delicious and the most crispy oven-fried chicken pieces I have ever made. One caveat: the experience taught me that I should not have skipped the brining step. A good brine (2-3 hours) infuses flavor and moisture into the meat that is incomparable.








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13 comments:

  1. Andrea the Kitchen WitchJune 1, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    I can't believe you skipped the brine! But its a good thing to do, just so you really KNOW that the brine is worth it :) Miso crispy chicken, man it sounds GOOD!

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  2. PamJune 1, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    I was shocked to hear you didn't brine. Extra crispy chicken is the best.

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  3. Mary BergfeldJune 1, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    Now you know!!! Your chicken sounds wonderful, Stephen. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  4. Food Glorious Food!June 1, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Ah huh... skipped the crucial part... Brine! Lovely looking chicken Stephen!

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  5. AnonymousJune 1, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    My mouth is watering - I love the idea of the miso.
    Mary

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  6. Whats Cookin Italian Style CuisineJune 1, 2011 at 2:24 PM

    The chicken looks amazing, I have never brined so not sure what difference that could make when this looks like perfection to me!

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  7. SookJune 1, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    Wow, I don't think I've ever had this before but man, it looks beautiful. I am hungry again...

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  8. UnknownJune 2, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    I'm with you my friend... you have turned me into a believer of brining. I know, it's took like a year, but you convinced me!! And although I believe marinating brings such wonderful flavor to the meat, it's the brining that helps give it the wonderful moisture! (wow, did i just say that??? lol)

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  9. KathleenJune 2, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    This sounds like a great combo of ingredients! The extra crispiness sounds amazing!

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  10. UnknownJune 3, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    No brining?! I am shocked! hehe.
    This chicken sounds absolutely wonderful.

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  11. Create. Snap. Eat.June 5, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    My, oh my! This sounds luscious!

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  12. ChrisJune 12, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    In an odd play on words, I am now singing "Betty Grable Thighs" to the tune of Kim Carnes gravelly "Betty Davis Eyes".

    He'll bring the chicken for you,
    Maybe serve it with rice.
    It's not brined but ready to go,
    He's got Betty Grable thighs......

    Apologies to Ms. Carnes!

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  13. StewartNovember 27, 2011 at 2:48 AM

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    ReplyDelete

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