Sherlock Holmes and Fried Chicken

"You see that girl under the tree, with the occasional hat.  What is she looking for?"
"Her dog."
"Isn't she attractive?"

Attractive was Sherlock Holmes most effusive compliment for a woman.  But what is an occasional hat?  For an occasion?  Do you wear it occasionally?  It was trimmed with a very pretty ribbon and Mr. Holmes certainly noticed it, and her.  The girl was fairly young and the hat was straw, shaped like a boater.  Not too fancy, but festive.  


One thing I only do once in a while is fry chicken.  It does make a bit of a mess, so it is an occasional occurrence.  But like the hat, it is not too fancy, but festive.  It has a crunchy, light crust made with my own gluten free flour mix.


Fried Chicken

serves 4-6


6 chicken drumsticks
6 bone-in chicken thighs
2-3 cups buttermilk
1 1/2 cups Zazu & Violets' all purpose gluten free flour mix
1 1/2 cups rice flour
2 tbs. paprika
1 tbs. salt
4 cups grape seed oil for frying


Put the chicken pieces in a casserole dish in a single layer, cover with the buttermilk.  Cover with cling film and marinate in the fridge for 3-4 hours, turning a couple of times in the buttermilk.

Heat the oil in a high sided cast-iron pot, or small dutch oven to 350 degrees.


In a shallow baker, mix together the flours, paprika and salt.  Dredge the buttermilk soaked chicken pieces in the flour mixture one at a time and gently lay in the hot oil.  In my pot I can fry three pieces at a time.  Fry for 12 minutes turning so they brown evenly.  Keep the oil at a low boil.  Remove to a platter lined with parchment paper in a warm oven while you fry all the chicken.  Sprinkle with sea salt.


Serve with any of your favorite side dishes.  We just had it with a green salad, and some of those crunchy bits became croutons.


The occasional hat and the occasional fried chicken; always special.


To see the latest collection of Zazu & Violets' hats, please visit our on-line Etsy shop.