On 12/6/2013 4:28 PM, Pete C. wrote:
>
> jmcquown wrote:
>>
>> Of course I don't deep fry anything. But this was interesting to me.
>>
>> While I was waiting to get the oil and filters changed in my car I sat
>> outside enjoying the decidedly sunny non-holiday weather (84°F). There
>> was an elderly gentleman sitting outside. I asked if he's loving this
>> hot weather. He said oh, man! It's great!
>>
>> Turns out he went on a church tour/shopping trip to Pennsylvania Dutch
>> (Amish) country. They left just before a big snowstorm hit. He said it
>> was 18°F there! (People this far south don't generally own really heavy
>> coats.) I'm sure it felt good for him to get back here to warmer, if
>> not hot, temperatures.
>>
>> I had to chuckle. He said, "I'm a black man. Been around fried chicken
>> all my life. I've *never* tasted fried chicken as good as I got in
>> Pennsylvania!"
>>
>> I googled for some recipes for Amish fried chicken. Apparently soaking
>> the chicken pieces in buttermilk is the key. I've heard about this for
>> years, but since I don't fry chicken... <shrug>
>>
>> Some might say buttermilk is a "southern thing". <shrug> My father
>> (born in and mostly raised in Pennsylvania or western Ohio, in Penna
>> Dutch country) grew up with buttermilk. Me, having lived most of my
>> adult life in the South, not so much.
>>
>> Jill
>
> I've heard the buttermilk thing in southern recipes. My suspicion is the
> real difference is/was very fresh, very high quality locally raised
> chicken.
>
Probably many of the Amish who run restaurants are also farmers. He
said, sort of amazed, "They *grow* everything they cook in their
restaurants!" Could be they raised the chickens and delivered them
freshly slaughtered and plucked. (I've read about and seen
documentaries Amish restaurants.)

He also mentioned the Amish fried chicken wasn't at all greasy. Maybe
his mother or grandmother didn't really know how to make good fried
chicken. <shrug> Just because you're from or live in a certain area
southern doesn't mean you're born knowing how to cook something. Or
that you'll ever master it. It sounded like he and the church group had
a good trip. It was just a tad too cold, weather-wise.

Jill