Baked Buffalo Wings

Hubby had a boys’ night this past weekend. Which means I got booted out so a bunch of guys could light absinthe on fire and talk about man-stuff. I have no idea what that stuff is exactly. What do men talk about when their female counterparts aren’t around? I think I’d rather not know…

One thing I do know, however, is that wings are man food. I’ve witnessed enough males trying to one-up each other on Wednesday Wing Night at such-and-such pub to know this is fact.

That doesn’t mean ladies don’t love them, too. We just do so with a touch more restraint, I think.

Buffalo wings are typically cooked naked, then liberally tossed with a butter-hot sauce mixture and served with a cooling, creamy blue cheese dip.

What I don’t get is why they’re always deep-fried, when they’re SO DELICIOUS and PERFECTLY CRISPY baked in the oven, with no additional fat (as chicken skin has plenty to share).

I’m not snubbing fat (as evidenced by the generous butter bath these babies took…) – but why deep fry AND butter bathe, if deliciousness ensues with just the latter? I mean, let’s not be excessive.

You can add more hot sauce or cayenne to suit your tastebuds’ need for punishment. The recipe, as written, has a good amount of fire – your nose might run a bit, but you won’t need to chug a gallon of milk for relief.

This blue cheese dressing – I have no words. Sometimes I just hit the nail right on the creamy-pungent-tangy head, and this is one of those times. The lemon juice is non-negotiable – it’s the secret ingredient that takes it from ordinary to vibrant.

Baked Buffalo Wings

 

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Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

40 mins

Total time

50 mins

 

Author: Jennifer Hill

Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 6 lbs chicken wings, tips discarded, separated at joint into 2 pieces
• salt and pepper
• 6 tbsp (1/3 cup) butter
• ½ cup hot sauce, such as Franks RedHot
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spread wings out over two large baking sheets, avoiding overlap (or else the wings will steam, rather than crisp up!). Season well with salt and pepper; bake about 40 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
2. Melt butter over medium heat. Add hot sauce and cayenne, if desired (taste first, then add cayenne to your heat preference).
3. Transfer wings to a large bowl and toss with sauce. Serve immediately.

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Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip

 

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Prep time

2 mins

Total time

2 mins

 

Author: Jennifer Hill

Serves: 10

Ingredients

• 1 cup sour cream
• 125 g/4.5 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp minced green onion (from about 2 thin stalks)
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, beat together all ingredients. Taste, and add more salt if needed.

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