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Preparing Chicken
Chicken is a world popular and versatile meat. It is relatively inexpense, flavors to taste, low in fat and has health benefits. Chicken can be fried, broiled, grilled, baked, boiled and used as a base in stews. Chicken does required special handling before cooking.
Chicken Safety:
Raw chicken carrys bacteria (including salmonella). Bacteria will rapidly multiple in temperatures 40 °F to 140° F. Keep raw chicken refrigerated or frozen. Refrigeration or freezing chicken does not kill bacterias. The only way the bacterias can be removed is by fully cooking chicken thoroughly.
Keep raw chicken isolated. Raw chicken should be placed in seal plastic bag. The bacteria in chicken can contaminated with other foods not cooked before eaten. Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw chicken before handling other foods and objects.
I personally like to rinse my chicken. If you rinse uncooked chicken santinize sink and kitchen surfaces after rinsing.
Thoroughly clean all kitchen surfaces that have come contact with uncooked chicken.
Chicken has to be thoroughly cooked. Beef can be eaten rare or medium rare and chicken cannot. Rare or medium rare chicken can facilitate bacterial growth. Cut the thickest part of the chicken to make sure it is not pink.
Do not leave cooked chicken at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Cooked chicken if handled properly can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days.
Brining Chicken:
Bring chicken breasts can retain moisture and keep chicken tender and juicy. Chicken can dry-out easily and brining allows the absorbtion of moisture. To brine soak in 3 tbsp. of salt to 4 cups of water for 1 hour.
Different Ways to Season Chicken
Favorite Recipe Secrets - Chicken Secret Restaurant Recipes
Marinaded Chicken:
Marinades help prevent chicken from drying out during cooking and adds flavor. Marinade chicken in the refrigerator. Boneless and skinless chicken pieces marinade quickly from 15 to 120 minutes. Marinading is an ancient art of tenderizing meat and improving flavor. Acids like vinegar or lemon juice are used in marinade tenderizers. Marinades for flavor vary from spicy, sour, sweet & sour, smoky and sour. Ingredients vary from herbs, spices, vegetables, wine, soy sauce and a wide range of other ingredients.
When a marinade is designed as a tenderizer, it includes an acid like vinegar or lemon juice. The acid attacks and softens the fibrous connective tissue between the muscles, making the muscle less stringy. Acid penetration also flavors the meat. The longer meat is marinaded the more tender and flavored it become.
Flavorings in marinades vary widely. Flavoring can be spicy, bitter, sweet and sour, smokey, sweet or sour. Herbs and a wide array of ingredients can be used like, vegetables (garlic), fruit juices, soy sauce, yogurt, wine, sugar and a wide variety of ingredients. Basic marinade includes vinegar, olive oil, herbs, salt, and pepper,
Rubs:
There are dry rubs and paste rubs. Rubs are a blend of seasoning. The blend can vary but generally the blends are coarse pepper (white/black), paprika, garlic powder and variety of herbs. Rubs add flavor, retains moisture (seals juices) and sometimes forms a crust. Paste rubs are held together by moisture (water, oil, soy sauce, worchester sauce or horseradish) and generally will add a crust to the chicken.
Sauces and Basting:
Dipping sauces and basting are alternatives for adding flavor to chicken. Additionally, they preserve moisture and give your chicken an attractive appearance. Gravy, pan dripping (barbecue sauce), broth, melted butter, butter garlic sauce and etc are commonly used. Sauces can be garnished with frest herbs.
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