Michael Symons Midwestern Fried Chicken Recipes

MICHAEL SYMON'S MIDWESTERN FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Season chicken pieces with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Combine buttermilk with 3 smashed garlic cloves and half the sage. Add chicken to buttermilk mixture and marinate at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine 1 cup flour, cracker crumbs and paprika. Remove chicken from buttermilk and dredge in flour mixture, shaking off excess. Warm a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
• When pan is hot, add lard, fat or oil, and then breaded chicken pieces in a single layer (work in batches if necessary; don't crowd pan). Brown chicken on both sides until golden. Transfer chicken to a baking sheet with tongs leaving fat in pan. Bake until cooked through (12 to 15 minutes).
• While chicken is baking, make gravy. Add remaining 3 cloves garlic and remaining sage to fat in skillet. Cook over medium heat 1 to 2 minutes until sage crisps and garlic becomes aromatic. Add remaining 3 Tbsp flour.
• Whisk to combine, then cook 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in 1 cup chicken stock, whisking until there are no lumps, then whisk in remaining stock. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Strain into a small saucepan and check for seasoning one more time, adding more salt and pepper if necessary. Add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce, making it as spicy as you'd like.
• Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest 5 minutes. Serve with gravy.

MICHAEL SYMON'S FLANK STEAK WITH GRILLED POTATOES AND ARUGULA

Steps:

• Whisk together all the marinade ingredients, and pour over flank steak. Refrigerate in a gallon bag for 6 hours or overnight.
• Make the vinaigrette by whisking all ingredients together. This can be made ahead of the time, refrigerate until ready to use.
• Remove steak from the marinade to a towel or paper towels, and discard marinade. Pat steak dry on both sides, and allow to come to room temperature.
• Put the potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold water. Add 1 T of salt and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and gently boil the potatoes until fork tender, about 18 minutes. Strain the potatoes and let them cool slightly. When they are cool enough to handle, cut them in half lengthwise and toss them with 2 T of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Heat your grill to medium high. Season the steak with freshly ground black pepper, and drizzle a little bit of olive oil on it. Place the steak on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side. Place the potatoes on the grill also, cut side down, and grill for about 2 minutes per side.
• When the flank steak is done, place it on a cutting board to rest for 5 minutes.
• As the potatoes come off the grill, remove them to a mixing bowl. Spoon some of the vinaigrette over them, and toss to combine. Add the arugula and shallot on top of the potatoes with a little more vinaigrette, salt and pepper, and toss to combine.
• Slice the flank steak thinly and against the grain and serve an top or alongside the potatoes and arugula. .