Sylvia's Smothered Chicken

Ingredients

• 2 (3 1/2 lb)  frying chicken, each cut into 8 pieces

• 4 teaspoons salt
• 4 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large onions, coarsely chopped
• 2 green bell peppers, cored,seeded,and coarsely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped
• 2 cups water

Directions

1. 1

   Trim the excess fat from the chicken pieces and sprinkle them with 1 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper.

2. 2

   Season 2 cups of the flour with the remaining salt and pepper; dredge the chicken in the flour until coated on all sides (shake off any excess flour).

3. 3

   Over medium heat, heat the oil in a heavy deep skillet (cast-iron is best) until the edge of a chicken piece dipped into the oil gives off a lively sizzle.

4. 4

   Add as many chicken pieces into the skillet as you can, but make sure the pieces do not touch.

5. 5

   Fry until the chicken pieces are browned on all sides, about 6 minutes; adjust the heat as necessary during frying to keep a lively sizzle without overbrowning.

6. 6

   Remove the fried chicken to drain and repeat with the remaining pieces.

7. 7

   When all the chicken pieces have been fried, pour off all but 4 tablespoons of drippings from the skillet, reduce the heat to medium, and add the onions, peppers, and celery to the skillet.

8. 8

   Cook, stirring occasionally, until brown and tender, about 10 minutes.

9. 9

   Move the vegetables to one side of the skillet and sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of flour over the other side of the skillet; cook the flour until golden brown, stirring constantly--be careful not to let the flour burn.

10. 10

    Slowly pour in the water and stir until the gravy is smooth.

11. 11

    Divide the chicken between two heavy skillets with lids or place them all in a large heavy Dutch oven.

12. 12

    Top with the gravy and vegetables; cover tightly.

13. 13

    Simmer over low heat until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes.

14. 14

    Check the seasoning and add salt and pepper as necessary.

15. 15

    Serve, spooning some of the gravy and vegetables over each piece of chicken; pass the extra gravy.