Fried Chicken for Chinese New Year?

Mommy Fried Chicken

I just found out that the Chinese Lunar New Year this year falls on the same day as V-Day. It falls on different day every year and in between Jan 20th to Feb 19th depending on the sun and the moon cycles. However, this year the sun and the moon mutually agree to fall on February 14th, 2010 huh? Hmm..we can have a combo celebration- - Chinese food with your sweet heart and a red envelope!  I wonder if Chinese companies in the state give their employees a paid holiday? It would be awesome if you got paid holiday time for V-Day :-) Do I celebrate the Chinese New Year? Nah, not by myself. I used to when I was with my parents back in my hometown. My family is Vietnamese and we have a similar culture to Chinese.

Since I've moved here and lived without my family, I don't celebrate the Chinese New Year any more. It's fading away from my memory. I hardly remember what I'm supposed to do on this day. Good that I have Chinese friends! They have told me about it. My memory is gradually coming back.

I recall the other night I talked to my mom and she asked me my husband's and my birthday so that she could write it on some paper and pray. Oh mommy...Not only does this story come back to mind, but also other stories such as collecting fortune bushes/flowers, fire crackers, praying at midnight, all kind of fortune food, and red envelopes! For some of you who don't know we put money in a red envelope and give it to the young generation. If you are old enough and make money on your own, you give it out. That was one of my favorite parts when I was young :-) Chinese people usually make a whole steamed chicken, head and all, to represent good health. I'm going to deviate the rule by making deep fried only wings and drumsticks! please please still bring me good health for 2010..

Mommy Fried Chicken
Recipe courtesy of my mother..
Yield: 2-3 people

Ingredients:
9-10 Chicken wings and/or drumsticks
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
6-7 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped - -lots of garlic!
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons black peppers
Siracha (Chili sauce)
Canola or vegetable oil
Paper towel

Note: You can double ingredients by a portion of your chicken

Directions:

• Place chicken in a big bowl or ziploc
• Add oyster sauce, soy sauce, chopped garlic, sugar, peppers, and a splash of siracha on the chicken
• Mix well. Marinate it for at least 1 hr. You can leave it overnight in a fridge.
• Heat up the oil to 375 degrees F. If you have a digital deep fry and plan to fry a lot of chicken, then please do use it. It's worth of the oil use! If not, deep bottom pot works just fine without wasting too much oil
• In a meantime, prepare a tray/plate with paper towel on top.
• Place chicken about 4 pieces at a time depending on how big you pot is. Don't crowd the chicken otherwise they will stick to one another.
• Deep fry it for about 15 mins till golden brown and crispy at skin. Don't forget to turn the chicken.
• Place fried chicken on prepared paper towel to absorb exceeded oil
• Scoop out garlic by a strainer

Season the chicken. Note to self: This bowl isn't photogenic at all..I'd better change to different pattern..

Marinate it for at least 1 hr in a fridge

Get the oil ready and prepare a tray with paper towel on the side

The chicken are in a hot tub!

Once they are done, transfer them to a prepared tray. Use a strainer to strain garlic out.

Place them on a plate with fried garlic on top. If you like garlic, fried garlic is the best part!

Happy Chinese Lunar New Year and Valentine's day everyone!