Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing by:Hannah

Ingredients


Dressing:
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 bunch fresh chives, minced
2 pints yellow cherry tomatoes, or red grape tomatoes, or both
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper


Directions


To prepare the dressing, place the blue cheese, buttermilk, and olive oil in a medium bowl and stir together with a fork, mashing a little to break up the cheese. Season with the lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chives. Set aside.


Wash the tomatoes, and pat dry with a paper towel. Slice each tomato in half lengthwise and season with a pinch of salt. Add the tomatoes to the dressing mixture and toss to combine then garnish with freshly ground pepper, to taste.

Personal comments:
I'm not a blue cheese fan, but this was a very good dressing. infact i'm putting it high on my list of favs. i'm givin it a 5 stars out of 5 stars

Honey-Peppered Buttermilk-Fried Chicken by: Hannah

Ingredients


1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons Essence, recipe follows

ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):
· 1 1/2 tablespoons paprika
· 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
· 2 tablespoons garlic powder
· 1 tablespoon black pepper
· 1 tablespoon onion powder
· 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (if you don't like spice as much only put 1/2 TBS)
· 1 tablespoon dried oregano
· 1 tablespoon dried thyme

1/3 cup honey
1 lemon, zested
2 cups buttermilk
8 chicken breast (or a mix of thighs and breasts)
1 cups all-purpose flour (if make more then 8 pieces of chicken you may need 2 cups instead of 1 cup)
1 tablespoon black pepper
Peanut oil, for frying


Directions


Combine 1/4 cup of the Essence, the honey and the lemon zest in a large plastic container or non-reactive stockpot. Whisk in the buttermilk and stir until salt is dissolved and honey is fully incorporated. Immerse chicken and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to 24 hours.


Combine flour, remaining 2 tablespoons Essence and black pepper in a large plastic or doubled brown paper bag; shake to combine. Drop 1/2 of the chicken pieces into flour mixture and shake excess flour from each piece. Repeat coating with remaining chicken pieces. Place coated chicken pieces on a large wire rack, set over a sheet tray and let rest, at room temperature for 10 minutes.


Heat 4 inches of oil in a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. Adjust oven rack to middle position and set a second wire rack over a second baking sheet. Place baking sheet in oven and preheat oven to 200 degrees F. Line 2 large plates with a double layer of paper towels.
Fry the chicken in batches, until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Turn pieces over and continue to fry until chicken pieces are golden brown on second side, about 8 to 10 minutes longer.



Remove and drain on paper towels. Using tongs, transfer to oven while you cook the remaining pieces till cooked all the way through.

prep time: 10-15 min
cooking time: 30-45 min
cooking level: medium

Personal Comments:
My hubby loved this and so did I. It was full of flavor and i loved the spice I'd give this a 5 stars out of 5 stars.