Serves 4-6

Ingredients

For the brine

1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 lemons sliced
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons lavender leaves and flowers
½ cup honey
1 tablespoon black peppercorns, cracked
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 tablespoon of the following herbs, chopped fine; thyme, rosemary, savory, marjoram
1  cup salt
2 gallons hot water (no more, possible less)
2 chickens, cut, 4 breasts, 4 legs, 4 thighs and 4 wings

For the fried chicken

Canola oil
1 quart buttermilk
8  cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons fresh lavender flowers
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

In a large bowl or bucket mix together all the herbs and spices with hot water until the salt dissolved fully.  Place the chicken parts in the brine and let soak overnight or for about 10-12 hours maximum.  Remove the chicken from the brine and rinse in cool water, drain well. Let the chicken dry and rest for at least a half hour making sure to pat dry with paper towels if still moist.  Heat two large deep  pots with the oil for frying, the oil should register about 320°F.  Prepare a baking sheet with paper towels to pace the fried chicken pieces on after cooking.

In a large bowl place the buttermilk and set aside.  In another large bowl whisk together the flour, basking powder and herbs and spices.  Set up your bowled flour and buttermilk as well as the chicken in a place close to the pans, this will be your “dipping station”.  When the oil is hot enough, place a chicken part in the flour mixture and coat evenly and lightly, shake off excess and dip in the buttermilk and then again in the flour mixture and gain coat well and shake off excess.  Place chicken skin side down in the oil and repeat with the other chicken parts as there is room in the pan.  Making sure to adjust the heat if necessary to keep the 320°F temperature. Fry for about 2-3 minutes per side a few times for a total cooking time of about 10 minutes per chicken piece, breasts about 12 minutes.  The chicken should be a deep copper brown.  Place on the baking sheets lines with paper towels, skin side down to rest. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Serve!