MAMMY’S SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN AND CREAM GRAVY

Mammy, LUCY ADAMS REYNOLDS (Springfield, Tennessee), had a good sense of humor and had no problem laughing at herself. She also loved unconditionally, remembers her granddaughter, WANDA WATTS (also of Springfield). “I hope that I learned those things from her. Mammy’s favorite saying was related to children misbehaving. In observance of such behavior, she’d point them out to me and say, ‘She’s a ring-tail-tooter.’” Wanda also shares, “I could be a princess to all those around me, but when life handed me difficult times and others depended on me, Mammy knew I would be able to step up to the challenge. She knew me better than I knew myself.” Mammy passed away in 1973.

SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN:

1 large fryer cut into pieces

½ cup all-purpose flour, sifted

½ teaspoon salt

⅛ teaspoon black pepper

1 large egg, slightly beaten

⅓ cup buttermilk

Lard or vegetable oil for frying

CHICKEN CREAM GRAVY:

4 tablespoons pan drippings from fried chicken

4 tablespoons flour

2 cups chicken broth

¼ cup evaporated milk

Salt and black pepper to taste

1 TO MAKE THE CHICKEN, rinse the chicken pieces and wipe dry.

2 In a large bowl combine the flour with the salt and pepper. Combine the beaten egg and buttermilk in a small bowl and stir into the flour mixture. Mix well.

3 Melt the lard or pour vegetable oil about 1 inch deep in a large skillet with a lid. When the lard or oil reaches 350 degrees, dip the chicken pieces into the batter and carefully place the chicken pieces into the skillet. Allow to brown and then cover the pan, reduce heat to medium, and allow to cook slowly until tender, 30 to 35 minutes.

4 Remove from the oil and keep warm on a wire rack in the oven. Serve with Chicken Cream Gravy.

5 TO MAKE THE GRAVY, heat the pan drippings over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Slowly stir the chicken broth into the flour mixture, whisking constantly, until the gravy is smooth and boiling. Slowly add the evaporated milk. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

MAKES 6 SERVINGS.