Game Day Entertaining
The Technique
The Tailgater’s Essential Frying Guide
Own your skills & claim the top prize in the process. If frying has ever steered you in the opposite direction of glorious game day foods such as crisp fried chicken or spicy popable appetizers, then you’ve come to the right place. Everything you need to know in order to host a southern fried tailgating social is outlined in The Tailgater’s Essential Frying Guide. From pots to electric fryers & equipment to temperature, it’s included to help take the fear out of this so-simple cooking method. Plus, learn the secrets to maintaining the proper temperature during the process which directly effects the final result. Before long, you’ll feel confident preparing zippy fried pickles & shrimp po’ boys. Bloody Mary Hot Wings, inspired by one of the South’s most beloved game day cocktails, is the ideal recipe to get you comfortable with frying. Follow my advice & score big points with this effortless technique.
Bloody Mary Hot Wings
makes 6 appetizer servings
Game Changer
Have the butcher prep the wings by cutting them at the joint to produce a flat & a drummette to save time.
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 Tbsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp celery salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
3 1/2 lbs chicken wing pieces
Vegetable oil
Bloody Mary Buffalo Sauce
Buttermilk-Garlic Sauce
Stir together the first 6 ingredients in a medium bowl. Dredge the chicken wings in the flour mixture, shaking to remove the excess. Pour the oil to a depth of 2 inches in a Dutch oven & heat to 360 degrees. Fry the chicken wings, in batches, 7 to 8 minutes or until a thermometer registers 180 degrees. Drain on a wire rack over paper towels. Toss the wings in the Bloody Mary Buffalo Sauce. Serve with Buttermilk-Garlic Sauce.
The Extra Point
If traditional hot wings are more your pace, stir together a 1/2 cup melted butter & 1 {6-oz} bottle of hot sauce. Toss the fried chicken pieces in the mixture before serving.
Bloody Mary Buffalo Sauce
makes 1 cup
Run The Option
The sauce makes just enough to coat 3 1/2 lbs of chicken wings. If you like extra sauce on the side, the recipe can be doubled.
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup hot sauce
2 Tbsp melted butter
2 Tbsp vodka
1 1/2 tsp prepared horseradish
1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Stir together all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Use as directed.
The Extra Point
Toss fried chicken fingers in this spicy sauce for an extra flavor boost.
Buttermilk-Garlic Sauce
makes 3/4 cup
The Basic Fundamentals
Drizzle this simple sauce over the wings that salutes Alabama Crimson Tide fanatics just before serving to stay cool when the heat is on.
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 Tbsp whole buttermilk
1 garlic clove, pressed
Whisk together all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Use as directed.
The Extra Point
Use as a sandwich spread or drizzle any remaining sauce over mixed salad greens.
FROM THE KITCHEN OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{testing notes}
How To Fry Game Day Fan Fare
From equipment & tools to logistics & the actual cooking, arm yourself with accurate information so the frying process is effortless. When you know the fundamentals, this playmaker is the gateway to some of the South’s most iconic foods & game day fan-favorite recipes such as classic fried chicken, buffalo hot wings, mozzarella cheese bites, deep fried pickles & stuffed jalapeño poppers. Follow my lead to prepare some of those snacks we just can’t get enough of during the game & gain confidence when it’s time to fry right.
The Tailgater’s Essential Frying Guide
Planning & logistics are key to any great gathering so put on your game face. This straightforward playbook will prove to be indispensable for crispy foods. Use it to fry classic specialties on game day all season long.
No. 1
The Equipment
The proper pots & pans come in handy for different tasks. Safety is a key factor when choosing equipment as well. As foods are added to hot grease, the volume expands immediately & the oil bubbles vigorously. If the pots are too shallow or filled with too much oil, it could potentially be a real hazard. Choose the right pans for the task & you’re golden.
The Dutch Ovens
A Dutch oven is the most straightforward & readily available piece of equipment that can be used to fry a variety of foods. It offers depth for deep frying items as well as surface area so foods can float about during the cooking process. Due to the roominess, foods can be turned easily & the oil temperature maintained accurately. Fill with oil to a depth of 2-inches or no higher than halfway up the sides of the pot.
The Playmakers
Cast Iron Dutch Ovens * Enamel Coated Cast Iron Dutch Ovens
Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Dutch Ovens
{6-8 quart capacity}
The Provisions
Ideal for large & small foods that are cooked in batches such as classic fried chicken, fish, shrimp & oysters. Specialty appetizers, fried cheese sticks, homemade chips, French fries, onion rings & hushpuppies are great contenders as well.
The Cast Iron Skillets
A traditional cast iron skillet can lead us on a nostalgic southern road trip. You can fry bone-in chicken pieces in them but it’s really more efficient to prepare in something larger. If you must, reach for one that has deep sides. The classic skillets are really better served for smaller tasks & food items. Do not fill with oil any higher than halfway up the sides of the skillet for safe frying. If there’s ever a question, add one piece of the food to the skillet as a tester to be certain you will not encounter any issues.
The Playmakers
Traditional Cast Iron Skillets
{10 to 12-inch capacity}
The Provisions
Ideal for small foods that are cooked in batches such as fried green tomatoes, okra & pickles.
The Electric Deep Fryer
There are advantages to using an electric deep fryer. Many brands offer features such as indicators that alert you when the oil is hot & ready to begin cooking & they automatically maintain the proper temperature. Hold on to the manual that comes with the fryer as it will prove to be a good reference to what each individual machine is capable of & the maximum food capacity of which items can be cooked. Always follow manufactures instructions to keep guests, yourself & the environment safe.
The Playmakers
Electric Deep Fryers
The Provisions
Ideal for small foods that are cooked in batches such as fried chicken bites, fish strips, shrimp & oysters. Homemade chips, French fries, onion rings, pickles & okra are great contenders as well.
The Outdoor Fryer
An outdoor fryer with a propane heat source is a great option for frying large items & quantities of food when tailgating. Hold on to the manual that comes with the fryer as it will prove to be a good reference to what each individual machine is capable of & the maximum food capacity of which items can be cooked. Always follow manufactures instructions, paying particular attention to how much oil should be added to keep guests, yourself & the environment safe.
The Playmakers
Outdoor Cooker * Turkey Fryer
The Provisions
Ideal for larger foods & quantities that are cooked in batches such as fried chicken fingers, turkey, fish fillets, shrimp & oysters. Homemade chips, French fries, corn dogs & hushpuppies are great contenders as well.
No. 2
The Tools & Accessories
You should have several items handy to make the process efficient. Thermometers, slotted spoons, perforated skimmers or spiders, a half sheet pan & wire rack with lots of paper towels will prove to be invaluable. Have bar mops & oven mitts handy as well.
The Thermometers
You’ll need two different types of thermometers to get it right. Frying items at the proper temperature are important in order to keep foods from absorbing excess grease. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of Dutch ovens to be certain the oil temperature remains constant. Use a digital thermometer to check hot wings & fried chicken in particular to be certain they are registering the proper temperature before removing them from the grease.
No. 3
The Logistics
The Frying Station
Set up a dredging station on your countertop or organize the food on half sheet pans on a small table if cooking outdoors. Line up the items in the order in which they will be used. Start to one side of the hot grease with the final item in the lineup being a wire rack covered in paper towels to drain the hot food. Have several pairs of tongs to use for different tasks. Use one pair to dredge raw foods & slip items into the hot oil. Use another pair of tongs to turn pieces while cooking or remove them from the grease. A spider or a large slotted spoon is a great tool for retrieving the food from the grease, too.
No. 4
The Frying
Start by following temperatures provided within individual recipes as a guide. This will prevent excessive grease in foods which generally happens when the cooking temperature is too low. You want items to float when added to the oil & not sink to the bottom of the pot. Attach a thermometer to the side of the Dutch oven & bring the oil up to the specified temperature. When foods are added to the oil, expect the temperature to drop slightly while they cook. You can adjust the stove eye a little if necessary. Once the food is golden brown or a digital thermometer registers the correct temperature for various foods, remove with a slotted spoon or spider & place over the paper towels to drain. Keep the food warm in a 200 degree oven until ready to serve, if desired, while cooking the reaming items. Before dropping a new batch of food, be certain the oil comes back up to the proper temperature.
The Grease
Oil or fat can be used again & it actually becomes flavored based on the seasonings used in the first fry. Allow it to cool completely & pour through a fine wire mesh sieve to remove any fried bits. If they remain, they’ll burn once it’s reheated. Place a lid over the pot to keep particles out of it. Use within a few days.
etc
Game Day Entertaining
Visit these posts for more football & tailgating party inspiration
The Tailgaters Quick Reference BBQ Guide
Game Day Provisions 101: Mini Sorghum Pecan Pies
Tide & Tigers Today Tailgating: Fried Chicken & Champagne
The Tune
“Shake, Rattle & Roll” Joe Turner
social butterfly
instagram: buttermilklipstick
facebook: Buttermilk Lipstick
twitter: Buttermilk Lipstick@ButtermilkLips
{college football} Rebecca Gordon@TidefanFare
pinterest: Buttermilk Lipstick
Rebecca Gordon
Be sweet.
Comments are closed.