A Goodly Heritage – Incident in the Hen House

Today, I had to ask my husband the big question.  “When I go out to do chores, how long will it take you to come out and look for me?”

He set down his paperwork, looked at me through his reading glasses and his lips began to curl up in a mischievous little smile.  “Why?” he queried. ”Did you have some trouble today?”

I began to give him the blow-by-blow facts as I went out to get the eggs from the chicken house.  He got an earful.  The story goes as follows:

“I picked up my egg basket and carefully chose my steps as I crossed over our frozen grass and icy roadway to the coop.  The upper and lower hinged doors in the chicken house were shut tight and locked. I attempted to open both doors. For some reason, the upper latch was not working smoothly.  I set down my egg basket onto the snowy ground.  With effort, I loosened the upper latch and unlocked the lower door.  

I turned to pick up my egg basket and the bucket of hay and grain my son had left for me to feed the chickens. At that moment one hen, eager for a change of scenery, got out. So now besides getting the eggs, I had to corral a wayward hen.  Luckily, our farm dog had hung close beside me on my errand.  His presence caused the little red hen to re-assess her situation. I put the bucket and my basket in the hen house and went to shoo the hen inside. To my relief, she complied.  

Then I turned my attention to the inside of the hen house.  I dutifully locked both doors so as to keep the critters inside and to keep the cold air outside.  I wheeled around and clunk! Our window screen for the door which had been hooked to the ceiling fell and hit me on the head. Ouch!  What more could go wrong!?”

By this time my husband’s smile had broadened to a big grin. I heard loud giggle coming from the next room. My daughter had been eaves-dropping.  “Mom, this is so predictable,” she said.

I continued, ”I scattered the bucket of hay and grain on the straw-covered floor to delight the chickens. They scratched and clucked out their approval and satisfaction, while I collected the eggs.  

It was my turn to be satisfied.  I got over two dozen large, brown eggs to fill up my basket. Now, I thought, I could finish the rest of the chores I do for Agnes, our milk cow.

I placed my hand on the door latch … it did not move.  I jiggled it again … nothing happened.  I was locked in the hen house!  NO-O-O!  How long will it take for my family to look for me when I am stuck in here, I thought.  

I looked around to see if there was anything that could serve as a tool to help me pry open the latch. I gave the latch one more jiggle and BINGO!  It popped open.

With relief, I exercised my freedom and left the hens and the rooster till another day.  I went off to visit Agnes.  Seeing her was not nearly the harrowing event that I had had with the chickens.”

My husband chuckled and my daughter guffawed over her mom’s incident in the hen house.  I really did not get an answer to my big question, just giggles. 

Chicken Waikiki Beach

2 whole chicken legs and 2 whole chicken breasts (I have

used a whole chicken.) 

½ cup flour 

1/3 cup salad oil or shortening

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

Sauce

1 can (1 lb. 4 oz.) sliced pineapple

1 cup sugar

2 Tablespoons cornstarch 

¾ cup cider vinegar

1 Tablespoon soy sauce  

¼ teaspoon ginger 

1 chicken bouillon cube 

1 large green pepper cut crosswise in ½ inch circles (opt.)

1. Wash chicken; pat dry with paper towels.  Coat chicken with flour
2. Heat oil in large skillet; add chicken a few pieces at a time. Brown on all sides.  Remove as browned to shallow roasting pan, arrange pieces skin-side up.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F.
4. Make sauce: Drain pineapple, pouring syrup into 2-cup measure.  Add water to make 1¼ cups.
5. In medium sauce pan, combine sugar, cornstarch, pineapple syrup, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger and bouillon cube; bring to boiling, stirring constantly.  Boil 2 minutes.  Pour over chicken. 
6. Bake uncovered 30 minutes.  Add pineapple slices and green pepper; bake 30 minutes longer or till chicken is tender.  Serve with fluffy white rice.  Makes 4 servings  

Suggestion: Ideal for outdoor or indoor entertaining, this tempting, sweet and pungent recipe comes from Hawaii.  If desired, garnish platter with fresh lemon leaves, available at florist shops and serve with tossed salad.