Old-Fashioned Fried Chicken

Ingredients:

3 pound chicken, cut into pieces

1/4 cup salt

3 cups cold water

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon crushed black pepper

1 teaspoon paprika

cooking oil (or shortening)

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix 1/4 cup salt with water. Put chicken pieces in the bowl and refrigerate overnight or at least for three hours.

Place 2 inches of cooking oil in heavy skillet (preferably an old-fashioned cast-iron one). Turn on medium-high heat. Drink the chicken. In a plastic bag, mix flour, salt, pepper and paprika. Shake 2 pieces of chicken at a time in the bag; lay out on wooden board. Continue this procedure until all chicken parts are floured. The shortening should be hot. Fry the chicken in two batches, cooking the thickest pieces first. Place each piece skin side down in the skillet. Cover it with a lid. Keep the heat between medium and medium-high. Cook without disturbing for 12 minutes. Turn the chicken. Cover again and cook for 10 minutes more, or until golden brown. Drain and serve.