Pickle Brined Chicken Tenders

How many ways can you cook chicken??? Here one more, Pickle Brined Chicken Tenders.

Pickle Brined Chicken Tenders

I adapted this from a recipe that I found on Epicurious. When I first started to really get into cooking, this my my go to site for whatever I wanted to cook. The recipes are all phenomenal and I was never at loss as to what to cook. I never had to ask What the Forks for Dinner?

When I first saw this recipe I thought maybe the recipe had pickle juice in it…….no, but it had the pickling spices for pickles……I was intrigued.

Pickle Brined Chicken Tenders

The original recipe called for chicken thighs, but friends were coming over to my brothers house to watch the Nascar and fried finger foods were on the menu. So, for my contribution, instead of the thighs……light bulb moment…….chicken fingers.

The only problem I had was when making the brine my salt never did dissolve, but that did not affect anything.

Pickle Brined Chicken Tenders

All and all the recipe, although a couple of steps was easy to make. During the brine period you can make other things or just set back and relax…..I chose option one, but whatever suits you is fine.

Breading was a messy process, but in the end well worth the mess.

Pickle Brined Chicken Tenders

Now, my brother’s friend Jeff manned the deep fryer so I got off easy in the actual cooking department. Jeff also made fried fish which was out of this world. So….. Thank you to Jeff for making this recipe so easy for me. And for the super tasty fish.

Fry Master Jeff

End result………so “forking” good…….not a crumb left. This picture of my nephew about says it all.

Pickle Brined Chicken Tenders
Picture says it all!!

The meat was tender and juicy, and the coating was crispy. The addition of honey drizzled over the top and a dash of hot sauce. Lets just say nobody had a plate we just ate as it came out of the fryer.

Yeah it was that good!!

Pickle Brined Chicken Tenders

In the mood for chicken strips….a.k.a. chicken finger…… Pickle Brined Chicken Tenders are your bird!!!!!

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Pickle Brined Chicken Tenders

  • Author: Adapted from Epicurious
  • Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • Brine:
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard seeds
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons coriander seeds
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2/3 cup kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
  • Chicken:
  • 3 pounds chicken tenders
  • Vegetable oil (for frying; about 10 cups)
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • Kosher salt
  • Honey, sea salt, sesame seeds, hot sauce (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Brine:
  2. Toast mustard and coriander seeds in a dry medium saucepan over medium heat, tossing often, until mustard seeds begin to pop, about 3 minutes. Add vinegar, salt, and sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring often, until salt and sugar are dissolved, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in dill and 4 cups water. Let cool.
  3. Chicken:
  4. Place chicken and brine in a large bowl, cover and chill for 3 hours. Remove chicken from brine, scraping off seeds, cover, and chill until ready to fry.
  5. Heat oil in deep fryer until 350°F.
  6. Place buttermilk in a large bowl. Place flour in another large bowl; season with kosher salt. Coat chicken in buttermilk, then dredge in flour, dipping your fingers in buttermilk as you pack flour on. Transfer to a baking sheet.
  7. Working in batches fry chicken, until skin is deep golden brown and crisp and chicken is cooked through, 6–8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack set inside a baking sheet.
  8. Drizzle chicken with honey; sprinkle with sea salt and sesame seeds. Serve with hot sauce.

 

Chocolate Almond Espresso Muffins

Chocolate and coffee, coffee and chocolate …….. Chocolate Almond Espresso Muffins !

Chocolate Almond Espresso Muffins

I love chocolate and coffee! Its one of those go great together combos. A nice piece of dark chocolate and a sip of hot coffee…….the chocolate melts just a bit and the chocolate gives the coffee a sweet boost.

Chocolate Almond Espresso Muffins

Besides, you read all the time how chocolate is good for you, cardiovascular benefits and all and that coffee……1-3 cups a day, may help prevent heart disease.

So, I guess that Chocolate Almond Espresso Muffins are good for your heart health. Your waistline may be a different matter…..lol. These muffins are the perfect blend of of chocolate, coffee, with a hint of almond.

Chocolate Almond Espresso Muffins

I made these in standard muffin tins. If you want you can make them jumbo size, but be warned they are decadently rich and chocolatey. Regular size was perfect with a cup of Joe.

Speaking of a cup of joe, where in the world did that come from??? Well, its seems as with so many things these day there are may theories.

Chocolate Almond Espresso Muffins
One theory is secretary of the Navy Josephus “Joe” Daniels issued General Order 99 which prohibited alcohol aboard naval vessels. After that the strongest drink of any kind allowed on naval ships was coffee. The sober sailors were not happy, so they started to call coffee a “cup of Joe” out of spite.

Another theory is that is a combo of two slang words for coffee, java, and jamoke, now in my day a jamoke, was what would now be a dork, but I digress, anyway, the last theory is that the name Joe is a term for the common man and coffee is the common mans drink……..cup of Joe.

Chocolate Almond Espresso Muffins

I sometimes veer off……back to the muffins. The batter is just a basic batter with the addition of the espresso for the coffee flavor, almond extract to boost the slivered almonds taste, and dark chocolate chips to bump up the cocoa. I almost alway use buttermilk when baking….. its just the right things to do.

All muffins in my “expert” opinion need a crunchy topping, otherwise whats the point?? And we all know how I sing the praises of turbinado sugar. Mixing, the sugar with dark chocolate chips, and almond slivers give these muffins a crunchy, sugary, nutty, chocolatey ……..shall I go on??

Chocolate Almond Espresso Muffins
If you are looking for a yummy chocolatey muffin for your cup a joe Chocolate Almond Espresso Muffins are just the ticket!

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Chocolate Almond Espresso Muffins

  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Yield: 12 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • Muffins:
  • 1½ cups flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, slightly beaten
  • ¾ cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup strong espresso, cooled, I used an instant espresso powder
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ cup slivered almonds
  • ½ cup dark chocolate chips
  • Topping:
  • 4 tablespoons turbinado sugar
  • 4 tablespoons slivered almonds
  • 4 tablespoons dark chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375F Line a 12 muffin cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour and cocoa powder. Add baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and sugars and mix to combine.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, milk, coffee, melted butter, and vanilla and almond extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and fold and mix just until combined. Do not over mix. The batter will be pretty thick. Gently fold in almonds and chocolate chips.
  4. Divide the mixture evenly between the muffin cups. I like to use a ice cream scoop to ensure even muffins.
  5. Make the topping by tossing together turbinado sugar, almonds, and chocolate chips in a small bowl, then sprinkle evenly on top of the muffins. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean. Cool on wire rack until cool enough to handle. Remove muffins from tin and allow to cool.
  6. Serve.

 

Spring Pasta Salad

This past weekend gave me a HUGE case of Spring fever……. Spring Pasta Salad …..on yeah!

Spring Pasta Salad

I know I’m jumping the gun just a little, but that first taste of spring makes you want to break out the flip flops, and start up the grill. Which is exactly what we did last Sunday. What is better than burgers on the grill……..nothing of course!

With burgers you need a salad and this salad is perfect. The dressing is slightly sweet and coats the pasta and veggies with that silky sweet goodness.

Spring Pasta Salad

Campanelle pasta lets that dressing get into every nook and cranny. And its cute, shaped like little bellflowers with ruffly edges.

The vegetables I used were my choice and I think an inspired one, but ,if you want to switch it up you can feel free to use the veggies of your choice.

Spring Pasta Salad

Now, I must confess that I took creative liberty with this recipe keeping only the dressing unchanged. When I worked at the grocery store bakery, the deli was in the same kitchen and so I was privy to many delicious recipes. One of which was Colleen’s Macaroni Salad. The deli manager’s own special salad. It was one of the most popular salads at the deli.

The deli and the store no longer exists, but I am glad to be able to share my version of one of the most popular recipes.

Spring Pasta Salad

Next weekend is suppose to be great again, so fire up the grill and make a batch of Spring Pasta Salad, and feed your Spring fever!

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Spring Pasta Salad

Spring Pasta Salad

  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Mix
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • Salad:
  • 1 pound Campanelle or shell pasta, cooked according to package directions, rinsed under cold water , and drained.
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 2 cups cucumber chunks
  • 1/2 each, large red, orange, and yellow peppers, cut into chunks
  • 6 green onions, sliced
  • 2 cups, Kraft Three Cheese Crumbles
  • Dressing:
  • 2 cups Miracle Whip
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl mix all dressing ingredients and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl mix all salad ingredients except cheese. Pour dressing over and mix well. Add cheese crumbles and mix until incorporated.
  3. If desired garnish with chopped parsley.

Keywords: pasta, bell peppers, cucumber, carrots, green onions, cheese, salad, spring, pasta salad