Ingredients: ------------ Seasoning Mix (Makes 2 tblsp plus
1 3/4 tsp) 2 tsp salt 2 tsp paprika (mild, or Hungarian hot paprika)
1 tsp cayenne pepper 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp garlic powder 3/4
tsp white pepper 10 tblsp (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, in
all 1 tblsp plus 1 tsp Tabasco sauce, in all 24 chicken wings,
tips removed, room temperature 2 cups vegetable oil Blue Cheese
Dressing (recipe follows) Celery sticks (optional) (Yield: 8
servings) Instructions: ------------- Thoroughly combine the
seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl. Melt 5 tablespoons
of the butter with 2 teaspoons of the Tabasco sauce in a small
saucepan over low heat. Pour into a small shallow bowl or pie
plate, and let cool slightly. Put the chicken wings into a large
bowl and coat well with 2 tablespoons of the seasoning mix. Add
the butter/Tabasco mixture and work in well with your hands until
chicken is completely coated and seasonings are well distributed.
(Make sure the chicken wings are at room temperature; otherwise,
the seasoning mixture will congeal and you'll have a mess of
gunk that won't stick well to the chicken.) Set aside to marinate
(for up to 30 minutes, covered) and heat the oil. Heat the oil
in a large heavy skillet over high heat until it is very hot.
Add the chicken wings, fitting in as many as there is room for
in a single layer. Fry until crisp and golden brown, about 8
to 12 minutes, turning several times. Drain on paper towels.
Repeat with the remaining wings. Meanwhile, make a sauce to finish
the wings by melting the remaining butter and adding the remaining
Tabasco and seasoning mix. Dip the cooked wings into the finishing
sauce and place on a serving platter. Serve with the Blue Cheese
Dressing and celery sticks, if desired. Blue Cheese Dressing:
--------------------- 2 eggs 1 tblsp fresh lemon juice 1 tblsp
apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup chopped onions 1/4 cup chopped celery
1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp white pepper 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper 1/2
tsp minced fresh garlic 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 2 cups vegetable
oil 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese Instructions: -------------
Put everything but the oil and blue cheese into a blender or
food processor and process for 15 to 20 seconds. Continue to
process, adding the oil slowly in a thin stream. When oil has
been added, process for an additional 45 seconds, or until well
thickened. Add the cheese and mix well. Refrigerate until ready
to use.
|