If this is Friday then it must be time to go and visit Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. One of the yummiest memes out there.
I seared up some chicken chunks the other night to make Rattlesnake Bites. Mmmm good and as usual with my cooking there is not so much a recipe as there is a method. Here we go.
Cut your boneless chicken into chunks. Toss in a plastic bag with a mixture of spices with the main flavor being a chili powder of some sort. The heat factor is decided by what kind of chili powder you use. In my house we like it spicy and hot.
I used a combination of regular chili powder, some hot chipotle, garlic, cumin, paprika and lots of black pepper. I also threw in some salt to taste. Heat your cast iron pan over high heat with a good vegetable or safflower oil and turn on the fan. Don't use a regular pan or you will probably ruin it. Add the chicken a bit at a time tossing and cooking through. Remove it as it is done and finish cooking the rest. At the end you can toss it all back in the pan to sizzle a bit while you squeeze some fresh lime juice over top of the chicken then toss it with some fresh chopped cilantro.
Now you have one dirty cast iron pan. Did you know the best way to clean your cast iron pan is with salt? You bet. Wipe out the excess oil and debris with a paper towel. Sprinkle generously with a coarse salt and rub with another paper towel. At some point you can add a bit of water but never add soap or you will ruin the seasoning of the iron pan. So just scrub until clean adding more salt if needed. See how some of the salt is now brown? It is absorbing all the food and oil debris. Rinse and dry your pan well.
Now this pan is ready to use but it could stand to have a bit of oil rubbed into its finish. Boy is this a heavy pan.
What a GREAT!!! dinner. THANKS!!! Geri
ReplyDeleteGosh these look good!
ReplyDeleteYum...now this really looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of snake bites but they sound spicy and great! I bet they'd make good little appetizer bites.
ReplyDelete~Susan
I was anxious to see what snake bites were-These sound great and pretty easy--sounds like the hardest part is cleaning the skillet. Thanks so much for putting my button up--I really appreciate it!!
ReplyDeleteLip smacking delicious! I do the same thing with my cast iron skillet.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori
ReplyDeletenow that is so simple, it is good to have these reminders to prompt us to prepare things we might have forgotten about...
and also this perks up chicken nicely...It can get a bit boring...
To serve this chilli chicken may I suggest some sliced fresh mango as an accompaniment...
Happy days
Interesting recipe and I'm sure Mr. Tastebuds would love it. I might make some Snake Bites for this Sundays football game!
ReplyDeleteI have one cast iron pan and I've never heard about cleaning it with salt. Thanks so much for this info..salt here I come!
That looks delicious but I'd have to make it a little less "hot"!! I like how you actually showed how to clean the cast iron pan.
ReplyDeleteSnake bites, huh? I would be adding my New Mexico red chile powder, that's for sure! Think I'll have to do this over the weekend. I have to use my cast iron skillet on the grill- my smooth top cooktop doesn't quite cut it for this skillet. hmmm... may have to season it up a little- it's been a while since I've cooked in it. Ethel has been too busy doing other things, like sneaking over to the neighbor's yard to cut their ornamental grasses for her fall arrangements. In fact, Ethel might be enlisting HER local Lucy to accompany her tomorrow nite to get more. Lucy can hold the flashlight while Ethel uses the pruners...
ReplyDeleteThis look fabulous. What you called 'cilantro' on your chicken to serve, looks like what we call coriander - is it the same stuff?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great name for this recepi! I have never heard of it. It sounds yummie! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI clean my skillet in the same way. I've never made rattlesnake bites but I'll remedy that really soon. I hope you are having a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteYummy recipe. I love recipes with unusual names :) You're right about the salt for cleaning cast iron pots....the best!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Blessings!
Gail
I have heard of these but never tried them. They sound delish albeit hot! Yes, cast iron pans are great. I am sorry that I donated mine when I moved--no room in this kitchen for anything but the basics.
ReplyDeleteCan I come for dinner!? These look AMAZING! *drool*
ReplyDeleteIs this the Leah I think it is? Of course you can darlin but that was from earlier this week. How is school going?
ReplyDeleteHmmmm... think I better follow your blog a bit. We have 2 things in common: cooking "rattlesnake" (only I cook the real thing) and I love, love, love genealogy.
ReplyDeleteI'll be back!
Karen
Ladybug Creek
Hi Lori,
ReplyDeleteWell I FINALLY got myself a cast iron pan and am going to try your recipe tonight. Will let you know how it turns out!!
Leah