Now for the second part of my series. I have already introduced you to "Around the world in 196 plates" now I'm welcoming you to "Dinin' USA", as a born and raised southern US girl I know there was not one dish I could use to fully represent the USA, the same way I'm sure other countries are with their menus. I do feel like I am not 100% doing the other countries justice, but I will more than likely add other options to each country at a later time. I do know America is a huge melting pot of cuisine, but each state has something they cling to as "theirs" I'm going to hit each state on the map and make something they declare themselves master of.
Today I start with Alabama. I decided on a simple BBQ, but in Alabama that is not the tangy red sauce most know, nor is it the vinegary North Carolina or golden South Carolina sauce. This sauce is a white BBQ sauce, one I was hesitant about, but once I made it I was floored. This sauce is AH-MAY-ZING! the chicken was tender and juicy with a hint of smoke, all from my kitchen. I made oven fried pickles and a zesty dipping sauce to go with this, as I am TRYING to get in better shape for my upcoming wedding, but I totally love deep fried pickles and these were almost as good.
Alabama BBQ chicken with White Sauce
Ingredients
* 2 lbs boneless chicken ( I used thighs as that was what I had on hand, but any works)
* 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
* 2 tsp liquid smoke
* 1 tsp seasoning salt
for sauce
* 3/4 cup mayo
* 4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
* 2 tbsp lemon juice
* 2 tbsp jarred horseradish
* 1 tbsp black pepper
* 2 dashes hot sauce
* 2 tbsp cayenne pepper (more or less depending on heat preference)
Directions
Place chicken, broth, liquid smoke and seasoning salt in slow cooker and cook for 6 hours on low. Mix all sauce ingredients in a medium bowl. The longer they can sit in the refrigerator the better they will blend and taste. Once chicken is done, shred well, add half of sauce and mix. Top on soft hamburger buns, add more sauce, and if desired top with pickles. I did skip the pickles since I made baked pickles on the side.
Oven fried pickles with zesty dipping sauce
Ingredients
* 8 dill pickle spears
* 2 cups seasoned panko crumbs
* 3 tbsp dill
for sauce
*1/2 cup mayo
*1/2 cup Miracle Whip
* 1/3 cup ketchup
* 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
* 2 tsp black pepper
* 2 tsp paprika
* 1 tsp garlic powder
Directions
Lay pickles on paper towels to absorb moisture. Preheat oven to 350. Mix panko and dill together and dredge pickles through mixture. lay on parchment paper on cookie sheet and bake 7-10 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5 minutes. For sauce, combine all ingredients well and allow to sit in refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.
This was a delicious dinner and will be in rotation again in the not too distant future!