poultry essentials: wings over wichita
I made these wings during yesterday’s snow storm, working with ingredients I had in the test kitchen. Since the weather was rough, I cancelled my cooking class, so I had the place all to myself. I wound up making 4 batches: 2 with the brine recipes, as written, and 2 without the buttermilk. I prefer them with the buttermilk, but I will let you be the judge of that. So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.
prep time
5 Hr
cook time
30 Min
method
Bake
yield
Several
Ingredients
- PLAN/PURCHASE
- BRINE CHOICE #1: TANGY DILL
- 1 cup cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup filtered water
- 2 tablespoons salt, kosher variety, fine grind
- 2 teaspoons dill seed
- 1 teaspoon sugar, i am using coconut sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup fresh buttermilk
- BRINE CHOICE #2: SWEET AND SASSY
- 1 cup sugar, i am using coconut sugar
- 1 cup apple-cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup filtered water
- 2 teaspoons mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon celery seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 cup fresh buttermilk
- THE WINGS
- 24 - chicken wings, separated, with tips reserved for making stock
- 1/2 cup potato starch
- OPTIONAL ITEMS (TO BE ADDED TO THE POTATO STARCH)
- - cayenne pepper
- - black or white pepper
- - paprika
- OPTIONAL SAUCE
- - 1 tablespoon melted butter, plus 1 tablespoon frank’s hot sauce, per dozen wings
How To Make poultry essentials: wings over wichita
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Step 1PREP/PREPARE
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Step 2HOW TO MAKE THE BRINE Whether you are making Brine recipe 1, or 2, throw all the ingredients, except the buttermilk, into a saucepan, and simmer for 10 minutes. Allow to come to room temperature, and then stick into the fridge until nice and cold. Finally, whisk in the cold buttermilk.
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Step 3Cooking the wings in the brine solution, is an extra step that helps fuse the flavors into the wings. In addition, it partially cooks them, thus reducing the amount of time they spend in the oven.
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Step 4The buttermilk might be a controversial item to some; however, it helps to tenderize the wings, and infuses them with the brine ingredients. If, however, you have reservations, then leave it out. After all, this is just a recipe, and recipes are made to be puttered about with.
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Step 5The optional sauce is designed to add additional flavor, without making wings messy and sticky. Now, do not get me wrong, I love my messy, saucy wings, but these are nice and crunchy. If you toss with the sauce right after they come out of the oven, the sauce will be absorbed by the crust... leaving the wings tasty and crunchy. Add an additional dipping sauce, like blue cheese, and you are ready for a party.
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Step 6Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
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Step 7Make the brine, then add the wings
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Step 8Cover, and place in the fridge for 3 – 6 hours.
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Step 9Remove from the fridge, place the brining liquid, along with the wings, into a saucepan, and bring up to the boil.
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Step 10Remove from the heat, and let stand for 15 minutes.
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Step 11Chef’s Note: At this point you can remove the wings from the brine, place in a Ziploc bag or container and stick them in the fridge until you are ready to bake them, up to 24 hours.
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Step 12Remove the wings from the brine, pat dry, and give them a nice toss in the potato starch. You can discard the brine.
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Step 13Chef’s Note: You might want to kick up the potato starch by adding some of the optional spices that I mentioned. Or, make up a spice combination of your own.
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Step 14Add the wings to a parchment-lined baking sheet fitted with a wire rack, and let sit for 15 minutes.
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Step 15Chef’s Tip: To keep the wings from sticking, brush the rack with a bit of oil, or spritz with a non-stick spray.
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Step 16While the wings are resting, place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 375f (190c).
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Step 17Add the wings, and bake for 20 minutes.
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Step 18Raise the heat to 425f (220c), and cook for an additional 12 – 15 minutes, or until the wings look nice and crispy.
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Step 19If you are making the optional sauce, toss the wings in it while they are still nice and hot.
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Step 20Serve naked, or with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy.
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Step 21Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
Discover More
Category:
Poultry Appetizers
Ingredient:
Chicken
Diet:
Gluten-Free
Diet:
Wheat Free
Diet:
Soy Free
Method:
Bake
Culture:
American
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