Best Fried Pies In Texas Recipes

BLUEBERRY FRIED PIES

Steps:

• To make the crust, mix together the flour and salt. Add the lard, either with a fork, your hands or a pastry cutter.
• When the flour is clumped together, slowly add the cold water a tablespoon at a time until the dough is moist enough to come together. Form the dough into ball. Wrap and place the dough in the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour.
• Meanwhile, mix the blueberries, sugar, flour, lemon zest, cinnamon, and water in a pan, bring to a boil and cook for about 2 or 3 minutes or until thickened. Turn off the heat
• To make the fried pies, roll out the chilled pie crust until it's no more than a 1/4 of an inch thick. (I like to roll it out into a rectangle-type shape.) Cut out 12 five-inch diameter circles (I use a saucer as a guide). Any scraps that are left over you can roll out again and cut out more circles.
• To make each pie, place 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each crust. Moisten the edges and fold the crust over, sealing the edges with your fingers and then by pressing down on the edge with a fork.
• In a cast-iron skillet, heat an inch of oil (or lard or shortening) to 350° F.
• With a spatula, gently place each pie into the hot oil, and turn over after a minute. Cook on the other side for another minute, and then drain on a rack or paper-towel lined plate. You can sprinkle powdered sugar over the pies if you like.

TEXAS FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• 1. To make the brine: Stir Kosher salt into water until dissolved. Place chicken parts in a nonreactive bowl or pot; add enough brine to cover completely. Refrigerate up to 8 hours. Drain the brined chicken and rinse out the bowl it brine was in.
• 2. Return the chicken to the bowl. Add beaten egg to the buttermilk. Pour buttermilk over chicken. Cover and refrigerate for another four hours.
• 3. Meanwhile, prepare the oil for frying by putting oil and butter in a pan (I prefer a deep fryer). Cook over low heat for 30 minutes, skimming as needed until the butter ceases to throw off foam. Just before frying, increase the temperature to medium-high.
• 4. In another bowl mix all dry ingredients.
• 5. Roll chicken in dry ingredients. Begin to fry. Do not overcrowd the pan or the cooking oil will cool.
• 6. Using tongs, slip some of the chicken pieces, skin side down, into the heated fat until chicken is golden brown. Drain on a wire rack or crumpled paper towels and serve.