With summer finally here, Americans across the country are snacking on a warm weather classic: Buffalo wings. Everyone loves wings, but no one can seem to agree on the best way of preparing this summery treat. The three most common methods are baking, frying and grilling. Each method features a unique taste and prep work.
Baking wings is the best option for beginners. If you are health conscious, baking wings may be the best bet for you. It is also less fatty if you remove the skin before preparing. People prefer this method because it produces a moist meat.
People complain about the wing skin sticking to the baking sheet, but this can easily be avoided by lining the sheet with parchment paper and foil. Rub oil on the wings and season with salt and pepper. Place them on the baking sheet and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, turning once or twice.
A fun recipe to try out when baking your wings is “Super Hot Mustard Wings.” Before roasting your wings, toss them in a spicy mustard, chili paste and cider vinegar. This gives them a tangy kick and a bit more flavor than a traditional baked wing.
Frying wings is a popular method for preparing wings because of the crispier texture it produces. The downside to this method is that you can only prepare a few pieces at a time. For this, you will need a heavy bottomed pan and vegetable oil. Begin by seasoning your wings with salt and pepper. Pour a few inches of oil into your pan and heat to 375 degrees. Carefully place the wings into the oil in a uniform manner and fry for 10 to 12 minutes. Use tongs when situating the meat in order to maintain a safe distance from the oil. Make sure to maintain the 375 degree temperature during the process. You can dry the wings on paper towels.
If you prefer to fry wings, try tossing your wings in a Thai red-curry mixture before frying. To make this paste, combine lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, red curry paste and melted butter. Simply toss your wings beforehand and fry normally.
Lastly is the method of grilling. The most traditional way to grill wings is to prepare them by rubbing oil on the skin and seasoning with salt and pepper. Heat your grill from medium to high and grill the wings for around 20 minutes. Make sure to turn the wings frequently and make sure that they’re thoroughly cooked through.
If you love to grill wings, consider marinating your wings overnight before taking them to the grill. “Filipino” marinated wings are made by marinating your wings in a garlic, soy sauce, white vinegar, lime juice and olive oil. Marinate overnight and then grill the next day. This will give your wings and extra kick.
However you decide to prepare your wings, we recommend fresh chicken instead of frozen. If you purchase the whole wing, you can cut off the tip and use it for another recipe because it isn’t used when preparing wings. The most ideal part of the wing is the drumette, which is easy to separate by using a sharp knife. If you are preparing an appetizer, use 6 wings and 12 for a full meal.
After you master your preferred method for wings, look online for fun recipes. No matter how you cook the wings, there are a plethora of different sauces and marinates to experiment with. They range from spicy to sweet and are all relatively easy to execute.
Written by the staff at Willie’s Pub and Pool. Willie’s has great drink specials and is one of the most atmospheric sports bars Columbia Mo has to offer.
