Buttermilk-fried chicken drumsticks
with cauliflower cheese and mixed salad

buttermilk-fried chicken
Prep time
60min
Cook time
35min
Serves
4

Marinating chicken drumsticks in buttermilk helps to tenderise the meat. You won’t look back!

Ingredients:

  • 8 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 tsp salt, plus extra for seasoning
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
 

Flour

  • 1 cup self-rising flour
  • 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
 

Cauliflower cheese
  • 1 large whole cauliflower
  • 25g butter
  • 25g plain flour
  • 500ml milk
  • 100g cheddar cheese
  • Salt and white pepper
 

Mixed salad

  • 1/2 punnet cherry tomatoes, cut into halves
  • 1/4 cucumber, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 red onion, sliced
  • Small block of feta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Squeeze of lemon juice

Method:

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  • Toss the chicken, buttermilk and salt in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for one hour.
  • Mix the flour, paprika, pepper and garlic powder in a shallow bowl. Remove the drumsticks from the buttermilk, shake off the excess liquid and roll them in the flour mixture.
  • Deep-fry the drumsticks in hot oil (about 180°C), turning occasionally, for about 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. You can adjust the heat as needed. Drain the drumsticks on paper towels and season with salt.
  • Put the cauliflower on the braai or under a hot grill until it is slightly charred but not cooked through.
  • To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and gradually add the milk, stirring continuously, to make a smooth sauce. Add the cheese and return to the heat, stirring all the time, and bring to the boil. Simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes and season with salt and pepper.
  • Place the whole cauliflower in a small roasting tray and cover with the cheese sauce. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes until the cheese sauce is bubbling and the cauliflower is cooked through.
  • Make a salad with the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and feta. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
  • Serve the salad with the chicken and cauliflower cheese.