Chicken Smothered With Black-eyed Peas

Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon sage
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1 (4 lb) roasting chickens, cut in 8 to 10 pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 9 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 1/2 cups onions, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups celery, finely chopped
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon tabasco sauce
• 1 lb dried black-eyed peas
• 1 teaspoon rubbed sage
• 11 cups chicken stock
• 3 cups cooked rice

Recipe

• 1 sprinkle a total of about 1 tablespoon of the seasoning mix evenly on the chicken pieces, patting it in by hand. combine 1 tablespoon plus 2½ teaspoons of the seasoning mix with the flour in a plastic or paper bag, mixing well. set aside.
• 2 in a large skillet heat ½-inch oil to 350º over high heat. just before frying, dredge the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess. fry the hen in the hot oil (large pieces and skin side down first) until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. (adjust heat as needed to maintain the oil's temperature at about 350º.) drain on paper towels and set aside.
• 3 in a 5½ quart saucepan or large dutch oven, melt the fat over high heat. add the bacon and cook just until it starts to get crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. stir in the onions, celery, bay leaves and 1 teaspoon of tabasco. cook until vegetables start to get tender, about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. add the peas, 2 tablespoons plus ½ teaspoon seasoning mix and the sage, stirring well. cook until all the oil and juice is absorbed and mixture starts sticking excessively, about 2 to 4 minutes, stirring often. add the stock, chicken pieces and remaining 1 tablespoon tabasco. bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until chicken and peas are tender, about 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. (note: cooking time will vary according to toughness of chicken.) if desired, adjust seasoning toward the end of cooking time with additional seasoning mix. to serve, place 1 to 2 pieces of chicken on each plate. mound about ½ cup rice to the side, then top the rice with about ½ cup peas. spoon extra sauce over the peas and chicken.