Get your fried chicken fix!
There really is nothing like a big piece of fried chicken. It is juicy, crunchy, and all things delicious, except for the fact that most chicken in America are factory farmed, meaning they are fed GMO crops, bread for size and given antibiotics. Although growth hormones have been banned by the FDA since the 50's, the cross breading that farmers have done over the last few decades has left the average chicken in America today twice the size of a chicken 100 years ago, and getting to its full grown weight in just 47 days versus the 2-3 years it previously took. As a consumer, we are tricked into thinking that "hormone free", "steroid free", "free range" or "cage free" chicken is a health option. I too used to be duped by this, however in reality, all chickens in the US legally have to be hormone and steroid free, and the FDA only requires one small door with access to the outdoors for chickens to be considered cage free or free range. With over 9 billion chickens killed in the US for food consumption each year, this vegan option is the best way for you to get that great fried chicken taste, while protecting your health and our planet.
What's even better about this alternative is that oyster mushrooms balance your immune system and are loaded with antioxidants that prevent oxidative stress helping to defend against diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and dementia. They have also been found to have potential anti-cancer properties, support heart health, and are anti-inflammatory which prevent systemic inflammation such as diabetes, obesity, and dementia. The benefits go on and on!
The next time you're craving some juicy fried chicken, try this at home healthier version instead that will curb your craving, and maybe even give eating vegan a chance.
Ingredients
2 handfuls of oyster mushrooms (approx. 10 bundles)
2 cups plant based milk
1 1/2 cups of flour
Juice of half a lemon
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp pepper
1 tbsp salt
1/2 tbsp crushed red pepper
2 cups avocado oil
2 tbsp vegan mayonnaise
1/2 tbsp sriracha
Preparation
1. Clean oyster mushrooms with damp towel, do not rinse as mushrooms retain water.
2. Create wet ingredients using milk and lemon juice.
3. Create dry ingredients combining flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
4. Add mushrooms into the wet ingredients bowl, then place into dry ingredients bowl. Cover with a spoon until fully coated.
5. Heat oil in pan until hot, place coated mushrooms in pan and flip when they begin to brown, roughly 3-5 min each depending on heat.
6. Create dipping sauce combining vegan mayonnaise and siracha. Garnish with chives, dip and enjoy!