Fall is upon us and in most cases that means people are thinking about children going back to school and then…the holidays. Halloween stuff was probably out in July and next month St. Nick will be showing his face in the store aisle. The holidays can be one of the best times of the year, because it’s a time to laugh, spend time with family, and ENJOY GREAT FOOD! I remember sitting in my grandmother’s kitchen watching her prep pies and dress a chicken with stuffing that she made from the white bread she toasted earlier. I could smell the collard greens and the pound cake. Those smells could lure you out of any room. But why do we have to wait until the holidays to eat the foods we love!?! Granted I can’t eat these foods every week, but in moderation…

There was one thing on my mind this time – fried chicken! It had been a few years since I made this and I was craving it pretty badly. I wanted to take a bite into some crisp, crunchy, flavorful skin and get to that sweet, tender, juicy meat (can you tell I really wanted this chicken LOL). I grabbed some chicken quarters from the market and decided to use those (they were also on sale #winning). Part of what makes this chicken marvelous is the preparation process. Day 1 – I season the chicken with an array of spices and let that sit in the fridge overnight. Day 2 – I then take the chicken out and coat it in buttermilk and let that sit in the fridge overnight. The next day, we are ready to coat and fry! The key is a little bit of cornstarch in the flour for dredging as well as the same seasoning you put on the chicken pieces and to keep your oil at 350 degrees for the best results. My husband told me it was the best fried chicken he’s ever had (and he’s tried a lot).

But what to serve with the chicken. It came to me as quick as the craving – baked macaroni and cheese…

cornbread…

and string beans cooked with ham hocks.

It was the perfect southern meal. I think grandma would have been proud! So next time, don’t wait for a holiday or event to have one of your favorite meals. If you want corned beef and cabbage, don’t wait for St. Patty’s day. If you want Black-eyed peas, you don’t have to wait until the New Year. Get your shopping list, get to the store, and get cooking! Your tummy will thank you!