How can this be secret? It just seems ordinary. It was named 99-X. The secret recipe is formulated by two different firms in order to maintain secrecy with each receiving half of the recipe. The big reveal supposedly came from a nephew who "found" the recipe in a family scrapbook. From Allrecipe: "According to the recipe, which is called 11 Spices, the top-secret ingredients (and measurements) include: - 2/3 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon basil
- 1/3 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried mustard
- 4 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 teaspoons white pepper
The spices are mixed with 2 cups of flour to create the iconic KFC breading." And to continue with the "secret practices": Each piece of chicken is dipped in water for seven seconds, dried for seven seconds, and then rolled in the mixture seven times before frying (sevens must have been lucky for the Colonel). To replicate this method, coat the chicken in dredging flour with seasoning, then shake off the excess, and repeat the process six more times.
And the final secrets? Fresh chicken and pressure cooking the chicken
From foodxp: "Generally there are total 13 ingredients added to make the 11 herbs and spices. If you wondering how, let me tell you salt and msg added to the recipe are not herbs and spices." Here's their list: - Smoked Paprika – A teaspoon of smoked paprika will enhance the flavors of herbs and spices.
- Chili Powder – Add a little hotness to your spice mix with chili powder.
- Onion Salt – Onion salt is rich in savory flavors that enriches the food dishes.
- Celery Salt – Add some celery salt to the mix to give it an alum aroma and fresh yet earthy flavor.
- Rubbed Sage – Rubbed sage adds herby, earthy, and peppery taste to the mix.
- Garlic Powder – Garlic powder adds a mild and roasted garlicky flavor to the spice and herb mix.
- Ground Allspice – The ground allspice adds tastes mainly of nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon.
- Ground Oregano – Add a sweet, earthy, and slightly peppery taste to the mixture with some ground oregano.
- Black Pepper – Add a peppery and earthy touch to the mix with some black pepper.
- Basil Leaves – Basil leaves add a sweet and peppery aroma and flavor to the mix.
- Marjoram Leaves – Marjoram adds a strong warm and herby taste to the mix.
- Salt – Add salt to your taste.
- MSG – Msg will bring out umami flavors to the secret spices and herbs recipe.
Do you know what they consider the secret ingredient to be? They say Tellicherry black pepper.
What about Wikipedia? It lists the first recipe above attributed to Joe Ledington of the Chicago Tribune, the nephew. That's the oft-repeated story.
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