GWEN YEARWOOD RECIPES

Steps:

• Put the chicken pieces in a large bowl and cover with water. Sprinkle salt in the water, cover the bowl, and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight, up to 24 hours.
• Pour oil into an electric frying pan or deep, heavy skillet. Heat the oil to 375°F. Check the temperature by sprinkling flour over the oil. If the flour sizzles, the oil is hot enough.
• Drain the water from the chicken and pat lightly with paper towels. Sprinkle each piece with pepper and coat with flour (you may not use all of the flour). Carefully place chicken in the hot oil. Cover the pan and open the vent to allow a small amount of steam to escape.Partially cover pan if no there is no vent on lid. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove the cover. Using tongs, turn each piece of chicken. Replace the cover and cook for 15 minutes more, or until done. Use a sharp, thin-bladed knife to check for doneness by slicing a drumstick to the bone. Neither the meat nor the juices should be pink. Drain the chicken on paper towels.

Steps:

• Place the potatoes in a large saucepan with water to cover by 1 inch. Add a generous pinch of salt and cook for 15 minutes, or until tender. Potatoes cook quickly. Test often for tenderness and don't overcook them. Alternatively, cook the potatoes in a pressure cooker for 5 minutes, releasing the pressure immediately to prevent overcooking. Drain the potatoes and arrange them in a 6- by 9- by 2-inch casserole dish.
• In a large skillet, add a little oil to coat the pan. Combine the beef and onion and cook together over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion softened, about 10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan and whisk in the flour to make a roux. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and the flour turns light brown in color. Gradually whisk in the milk and continue to stir while cooking over medium heat. When the mixture thickens, season with salt and pepper, then stir in the cheese and browned beef and onions.
• Pour the ground beef mixture over the potatoes and bake the casserole for 20 minutes, until heated through and bubbling. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top of the casserole and bake until the crumbs are toasted, about 5 minutes longer.
• Cook's Note.
• Because all the ingredients are fully cooked, if they are still hot when you assemble the casserole, the baking time can be greatly reduced or even eliminated; simply brown the crumb topping under the broiler for a couple of minutes.