by Jackie Garvin 23 Comments
My grandparents had a memorable dialect and accent. If I ever “run up on” someone today who speaks the same as they did, I could sit for a week and just listen to them talk. Familiar sayings and pronunciations are comforting and touch my heart in a way that is particular to that certain speech pattern and vernacular.
Not only did I love the things my grandparents said, I loved how they said it.
Lots of words that commonly used short vowels were spoken with long vowels. The short a in dance took on the sound of the long a in cake and an extra syllable was added. So, the pronunciation sounded something like dah-ance using the sound of a long a. The syllables were not distinctive but were spokensoftly, almost blending into one. Within the context of this short paragraph, I’ve discovered how difficult it is to write my grandparents speech phonetically. I’ve uttered the word “dah-ance” about 100 times as I try to decide how to write it without having the benefit of pronunciation symbols. Oh boy! I really need to break down and make a YouTube video. Speaking their language is easier than writing their language. Try to hang on with me, please.
One of my favorite words to hear them say was “Italian”, pronounced “eye-tal-yuhn”. They didn’t use this word a lot to describe their food. They would occasionally eat “spee-ghetti” or have a “piece of pezzur pie”. But that’s about as far as they ventured into “Eye-tal-yuhn” cuisine.
I’ve been making Two Ingredient Italian Chicken for years. Gratefully, I was able to make it for Granny. She ranted about how good “Eye-tal-yuhn” chicken is.
“Whoo-wee! And all you did was soak this chicken in Eye-tal-yuhn salad dressing? It sho’ is good and you’re mighty smart for cooking this a-way.”
There was no higher compliment in my mind than to hear Granny call me smart. She wasn’t talking about academic knowledge. Smart to her was being thrifty, hard working, dependable and mature. I’ll take that kind of smart any day of the week.
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Two Ingredient Italian Chicken
A two ingredient main dish is a prized catch. This dish scores in two ways. First, not only is it a two ingredient main dish, it’s a delicious two ingredient main dish. Secondly, I always wind up with about three or four partial bottles of Italian dressing in my refrigerator. This recipe makes great use of all those partial bottles. That’s smart! I use Italian vinaigrette dressing and have never tried this with creamy Italian. If breasts or legs are substituted for chicken thighs, adjust cooking time accordingly. I find the sodium content of the dressing sufficient to flavor the chicken. If you like a lot of salt on your food, you might want to add some additional salt to the chicken before sliding it into the oven.
8 bone-in/skin-on chicken thighs
24 ounces Italian dressing
Wash chicken pieces and pat dry. Put into a gallon sized food storage bag. Pour dressing over chicken and seal back closed.
Mix the chicken and dressing around in the bag to ensure that all pieces are coated.
Marinade in refrigerator overnight.
Remove chicken from marinade and drain excess off each piece. No need to pat dry. Discard marinade.
Place skin side up on a greased large baking sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until the thighs reach an internal temp of 170 degrees.
Let sit covered for 5 minutes before serving.
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ABOUT JACKIE
I’m Jackie Garvin, the personality behind the blog. Syrup and Biscuits is a Southern food blog that champions the best the South has to offer: simple food with modern and vintage recipes, beloved traditions, a focus on family and bountiful gratitude for many blessings. We love company and we're mighty happy you joined us. Read more...
Comments
Mary Back says
Oh, Jackie! Your comments are adorable! The sound of our loved ones is always unique in our memories, yet I know exactly what you mean! All mine were from Tennessee, so you can just imagine. How I loved them! And like you, when I hear someone with that particular accent, it takes me back in such a loving way – I want to listen to them talk and talk! When my aunt’s son was in the Army, he was stationed in Hiwarhya! That one I recall immediately. And my sister (as educated as she is – Ph.D.) still says Italian the way you describe. Aren’t they all wonderful! ! !
Love the chicken recipe and must admit I’ve tried it before. But now you’ve given me a great reason to try it again ’cause it’s deeeeelicious!!! You are amazing! <3Reply
Jackie Garvin says
Mary,
We are a kindred spirit, for sure! How I love to listen to those familiar words and accents. My grandparents said, “Hiwarhya”, too! 🙂
Mary Ann says
Same trick works to marinate round steak. My mil used to have butcher cut a piece of round steak about an inch thick when it was on sale and marinate in dressing. To feed her family of eight steak. My husband said he was grown before he knew there were other kinds of steak. I will try this for sure with chicken!
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Jackie Garvin says
I hope you like it as a chicken marinade, Mary Ann. Please let me know what you think! 🙂
jana says
I used to do this in the Italian dressing to but, since I found the balsamic vinigarette one I use it on my chicken breasts. hope you will try it. jana
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Jackie Garvin says
I’ve used balsamic vinaigrette for marinades, too, Jana. It’s great! I especially like it for a vegetable marinade. 🙂
Maureen says
I know how you feel. With my sister visiting me in Australia this week, we’ve reminisced about old Maine phrases like, “in the dooryard” or “cook it in the spider” (pronounced spidah) and many others.
I’ve often cooked your Eye tah yuln recipe and it’s quick, easy and always loved by everyone.
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Jackie Garvin says
So much of that down home language seems to be going by the wayside, Maureen. That makes me sad.
Your grandma and mine pronounced it the same way. <3
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Jackie Garvin says
🙂
Sandra Davis says
Bingo! I’m fixing this eye-tal-yuhn chicken tomorrow. Sometimes I have to stop and think before I say Italian cuz I’m so used to hearing my Mom say eye-tal-yuhn! She’s visiting us right now and this is a good story and dinner! Thanks Jackie. I hope you and your clan is good!!!
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Jackie Garvin says
Your mama will love eye-tal-yuan chicken. Guaranteed! We are all just fine. Hope your sweet family is as well.
Robin Clouse says
I know exactly what your saying Jackie. I miss hearing their dear voices. Especially when I “layed out” all I heard was I was frying like a fish and put on some clothes. I was behind a six foot wood fence.LOL.
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Jackie Garvin says
Robin,
We used to put on baby oil before sunning. I think we did fry! :!
ella liddle says
I use the zesty Italian dressing to marinate all my chicken and also London broil. Yum! I usually grill my chicken but will have to try baking. Your’s looks delicious. Thanks.
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Jackie Garvin says
It’s really tasty, Ella! Hope you give it a try. We have so many thunderstorms this time of the year that outdoor cooking isn’t always a possibility.
Jean says
I would have loved to meet your grandparents. Salt of the earth type people. People from all over the south pronounce things differently even tho with the southern drawl. D-troit…is one that sticks in my head. We dont realize just how much differently we speak until someone points it out. I love being southern!
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Jackie Garvin says
Jean,
I am so proud of my Southern heritage! Love a Southern accent, too. I used to be pretty good at identifying regional Southern accents. People move around so much now and the accents have become blended. They aren’t as distinguishable as they used to be.
Jean, you would have loved Granny and Grandadaddy. Everybody did. I miss them everyday.
Autism United says
I find that lots of dressings work so well with chicken and have been using pork chops in place of chicken and again turns out so nice.
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Carolyn Tyler says
I remember my mawmaw telling me ghost stories, but she called them “haints’. If something was worthless, she said “it ain’t no count”, and if someone was lazy, she would say “they’re so lazy, they wouldn’t work at a pie factory a tastin'”. I can think of a thousand more, and maybe I’ll write them all down someday for my kids to read!
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Jackie Garvin says
Carolyn,
I’ve heard everyone of your sayings except the one about working in a pie factory a tastin’. I love that!!!
Carolyn Vigna says
Love this, I’m from Arkansas & my bunch all pronounced Italian the same way.
I grew up & married one of those Eye tal yuans from Italy. They still call him the Eye tal yuan.
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Jackie Garvin says
Many blessings to you and your Eye tal yan. ❤️
