girl i taught myself how to cook too, i was too young to learn when my mom passed..........i be cooking like a pro, not soul food tho, mostly mexican and "white" people food lol.....i got hella cook books too.......i was on a chinese thing for awhile but i get pissed cus my pork fried rice and orange chicken dont come out tasting exactly like the restaurants lol...if you like puffy chicken, here is my recipe for a bomb ass batter to dip the chicken in before frying...this is especially good for orange chicken and the sorts..........im my own worst critic when it comes to cookin..
puffy batter..
i cup or so of flour
about 1 tbsp baking powder (this is a must or it wont puff)
about 5 tbsp oil
lots of salt and petter
half or one cup of hot sauce gives it a flavor kick
add water till medium thick....the thicker the puffier, i like it medium thin, then dip chicken and coat well and fry in oil deep enough to cover the whole piece, first the chicken pieces will sink then they will float to the top, cook till golden to medium dark brown and walaa!