It's Always Better When It's Bigger And Doesn't Cost As Much

Make a real hit at your next gathering, whether you are planning food for a simple get together or everyone has come over to your place to watch an important game.

Quit serving the wimpy chicken wings you picked up from the store that day. Chances are they get soggy and have the creeping yuck factor. With a little advance preparation, you can make your own unforgettable wings. Just be prepared to have extra on hand as these will go as fast as your liquid refreshments.

Figure about 6 wings per person (and then extras). If you have a freezer, you are really in business to prepare ahead. What you really need are chicken drumsticks. Get the family size packages when they are on sale and remove the skin. Wrap each in a cheap plastic baggie so they don't stick together and place those in plastic freezer bags so you can defrost them in the refrigerator about two days before your big event.

Once defrosted, dip them in buttermilk and roll in flour that has been lightly spiced with onion powder, Season-All, and extra pepper. You can then deep fry them in an electric skillet or deep pot. Your other choice, and possibly a little easier, is to get a commercial mix from the store that let's you fry it in the oven. If you do, choose something plain as you don't want the flavor of the oven fry mix to detract from the hot sauce.

Once the wings have been deep fried or baked, transfer them to an electric frypan to keep at the temperature you like and in the meantime prepare your favorite hot sauce. Serve the hot sauce in a separate container with a ladle. Your guests can use a bowl or better yet, a divided paper plate for the hot wings and only put the hot sauce on when they are ready to eat. This will keep their supply of hot sauce ready for more dipping. Nobody will be tempted to eat and dip from the common pot and spread their germs.

Everyone will appreciate that they have more chicken to eat on the drumstick and it won't be soggy. Now, don't forget the celery sticks and blue cheese dressing. Remember also, that if children are participating, that the drumsticks have a thin, longish bone inside that is sharp, and perhaps someone should help with the removal first before the child eats.

Your cleverness with the mighty wings might even be talked about as much as their favorite player that scored, or at least asked for at the next party. In any event, even if your guests eat more wings, chances are that it won't have cost you more than buying the ready made.

Don't forget to let me know if you try this.