Chicken Wings

Anchor Bar Hot Wings

The key to good Buffalo Wings is how you prepare them as well as the ingredients and the handling of the wings. The most successful wings servedup here in Buffalo are what they call Grade A Grinders. Fresh wings that are very large and meaty. Usually, you cannot get them in a frozen package, but can get them from a poultry dealer. Once you find them make sure they are absolutely fresh. Wash them in cold water, split them at the joint and remove the tips. Place them on a rack on a pan and refrigerate overnight to let the blood and water drain out of the wings. THIS IS A REAL KEY. Drying the wings under refrigeration will help to make them a much crispier product, once deep fried.Next, use a deep fryer or a very heavy deep pot with a thermometer and add the oil.

Peanut oil is very good, or a commercial product such as can be found at a restaurant cash and carry called Mel Fry. Heat the oil up SLOWLY, to 365F, and depending on the size of the fryer, deep fry the dry wings 6-8 minutes in small batches, until thoroughly done and golden brown.Hold the cooked wings in a warm oven if necessary. A combination of melted margarine and hot sauce in the ratio of 1 part margarine to 3 parts hot sauce will add the right zing. The key here is to add just enough sauce to coat the wings – the more sauce you add, the hotter they will be. For the very brave, 1 part margarine to 3 parts hot sauce and 1 part Tabasco is referred to as "Suicidal Wings" by the late and dear Don Bellissimo, who owned the Anchor Bar. Working quickly, place the deep fried wings in a large bowl and add the sauce mixture, shaking to coat them. There are many good hot sauces to use; the one they use is either Durkee Franks Red Hot Sauce or Wingers Original, again found in a restaurant cash and carry. Celery sticks and chunky blue cheese dressing (Ken’s Buffalo Style Blue Cheese is a popular one) and plenty of napkins.

AFRICAN CHICKEN WINGS

FOR THE WINGS 4 Garlic cloves 2 Shallots 1 1/2 teaspoons Salt 1 tablespoon Chinese 5 spice 2 teaspoons Paprika 1 teaspoon Dried rosemary — crumbled 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne — or to taste 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil 4 pounds Chicken wings — about 20-24 Tips removed FOR THE SAUCE 1/3 cup Natural style peanut butter 1/4 cup Canned cream of coconut Well stirred 2 Garlic cloves — chopped 1/4 cup Water 1/4 cup Red bell pepper — chopped 1/8 teaspoon Dried hot red pepper flakes Or to taste 1 teaspoon Soy sauce Coriander sprigs

THE WINGS: Prepare the chicken wings: Mince and mash the garlic and  shallots to a paste with the salt. In a large bowl stir the paste together with the 5 spice powder, paprika, rosemary, cayenne, and the oil. Mix well. Add the chicken wings. Toss and stir them until they are completely covered with the marinade. Let them marinate, covered and chilled for 4 hours or over night. Arrange the wings, skin side up, on the rack of a foil lined large broiler pan and bake them in the upper third of a preheated 425F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until they are golden. The wings may be prepared one day in advance, kept covered and chilled and then reheated before serving. THE SAUCE: In a blender, blend together the peanut butter, cream of coconut, garlic, water, bell pepper, red pepper flakes and the soy sauce until the mixture is smooth, season the sauce with salt, to taste. THE PRESENTATION: Transfer the sauce to a serving bowl set on a platter. Arrange the wings around the bowl and garnish the platter with the coriander.