Thackeray Ethiopian-Spiced Fried ChickenFor the Power Brine: Mix all ingredients together in a container with a lid.
For the Confit Chicken: Place chicken pieces in container with Power Brine. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Melt duck fat and allow to cool, but still keep its liquid state. Remove chicken pieces from brine and separate legs and thighs from breast, putting breasts in one oven-proof container and the legs and thighs in another.
Pour duck fat over chicken pieces and cover with foil. Place in a 300 degree oven. Using a meat thermometer, check the chicken periodically - you'll want to cook the breasts to 145 degrees and the legs and thighs to 150 degrees. When they've reached those temperatures, remove from oven and allow to cool in refrigerator.
When ready to fry, remove the chicken pieces from the duck fat, and reserve the fat for another use. (Roasting potatoes is a good option!)
For the Berbere Fry Flour: Mix together flour, Berbere and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
For Frying Chicken: Pour buttermilk into a bowl. Set aside. Pour oil into a cast-iron skillet or large sauté pan that will hold 8 pieces of chicken to a depth of about 3/4". Put a deep-fry thermometer in oil so bulb is submerged. Heat over medium-high heat until thermometer registers 350°. Line a large plate or sheet pan with paper towels.
Working with 1 piece at a time, dip chicken in buttermilk, allowing excess to drip back into bowl. Dredge in the Berbere Fry Flour mixture; tap against bowl to shake off any excess. Place 5 pieces of chicken in skillet. Fry chicken, turning with tongs every 1–2 minutes and adjusting heat to maintain a steady temperature of 300°–325°, until skin is deep golden brown and a meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of chicken registers 165 degrees.
Using tongs, remove chicken from skillet, allowing excess oil to drip back into skillet; transfer chicken to plate/sheet pan lined with paper towels to absorb oil. Place on plate, drizzle with honey and sprinkle with Fleur de Sel. Eat.
Notes for Chicken:
Chicken can be brined ahead of time. When adding the batter to the chicken, we recommend using one hand for wet ingredients, and one hand for dry. You may need more duck fat if your oven-proof containers are large. Roasted potatoes are an excellent use for the leftover duck fat!
Thackeray Za'atar-Spiced Kale Slaw
For the Za'atar Ranch Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the yogurt, mayo, garlic, Za'atar and sugar. Give it a taste and, if needed, add salt, to taste. This will make enough to have a "wet" slaw, or extra to use on something else.
For the Kale Slaw: In a large bowl, thoroughly mix together kale, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, apple and Za'atar Ranch in a bowl. Taste and add salt, if needed. Right before serving, sprinkle the pomegranate seeds on top of the slaw.
