This is the best buffalo chicken wing recipe (honest).
I also include my homemade blue cheese dressing that makes this appetizer even better. The secret to perfect buffalo wings is homemade hot sauce. It make a huge difference. More homemade appetizer recipes at the end of the page.
AUTHENTIC BUFFALO CHICKEN WING RECIPE
24 chicken wings, tips removed and wings cut 4 TBS margarine (the best for this recipe) 1 TBS white vinegar 5 TBS hot sauce, or to taste salt and pepper, to taste 1 qt canola oil for frying
Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet or deep fryer to 375 degrees. Deep fry the chicken wings until they are done; or about ten minutes. Remove and drain.
Melt the margarine in a large skillet, and stir in the vinegar and hot sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the chicken wings to this sauce and stir over low heat to cover completely. For mild - simmer 15 minutes; For medium - simmer 30 minutes and For hot - simmer for 45 minutes.
NOTE: You may also bake them at 400 degrees for 40 minutes.
HOMEMADE BLUE CHEESE DRESSING
2-1/2 oz blue cheese 3 TBS milk 3 TBS sour cream 2 TBS homemade mayonnaise 2 tsp white wine vinegar 1/4 tsp white sugar 1/8 tsp (or to taste) garlic powder salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
In a small bowl, mix the vinegar and milk together - mix and let stand for 10 minutes. Add the blue cheese and mash with a fork till this looks like cottage cheese. Stir in the sour cream, mayonnaise, sugar and garlic powder. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Chill till ready to serve. This may be refrigerated if sealed in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
TIPS TO Make PERFECT Chocolate Covered Strawberries
SECRET #1 There are many way to prepare these strawberries, but I am going to give you my easy methods. When you are melting the chocolate over a double boiler, don't let the water touch the bottom of your upper pan. Heat until only 1/2 of the chocolate is melted, then remove from heat and stir gently until it is all melted.
The chocolate should actually be cool or tepid to the touch. If it's hot, chances are it will seize up and thicken. If it does that, no amount of heating or stirring will fix it.
If you don't have a double-boiler, use a saucepan - bring the water to a boil, and then use a stainless steel bowl to rest in the saucepan to melt the chocolate.
SECRET #2 Strawberries are grown with many pesticides, so rinse the strawberries first with a veggie wash, and let them drain on paper towels until they were thoroughly dry so the chocolate would adhere properly. Any moisture would have interfered with the chocolate adhering.
SECRET #3 Spike the strawberries! Fill a syringe with a sweet white dessert wine, and slowly inject the wine into the strawberries from near the stem (after you've done the dipping in chocolate.) You want to inject enough wine to saturate the berries, but watch not to add too much otherwise they end up becoming runny. These are always a hit when I bring them to dinner parties.
SECRET #4 Pierce the strawberries on the stem side with a toothpick. Holding the strawberry by the toothpick, dip into the chocolate mixture. Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into Styrofoam for the chocolate to cool.
A delicious twist on my favorite red velvet cake recipe. Yum.
HOMEMADE RED VELVET CHEESECAKE RECIPE
Ingredients
CRUST: 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1/4 cup butter, melted 1-1/2 TBS white sugar shaved chocolate bar
CHEESECAKE: 3 (8oz) pkgs cream cheese, softened 1-1/2 cups white sugar 4 eggs, beaten 3 TBS cocoa, unsweetened 1 cup sour cream 1/2 cup buttermilk* 1 TBS pure vanilla extract 1 tsp white vinegar 2 (1oz) bottles of red food coloring
TOPPING: 3 oz cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup butter, softened 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted 2 tsp pure vanilla extract shaved chocolate bar, for garnish
Directions
PREHEAT oven to 325 degrees. The cake is baked with a water bath to prevent cracking. Wrap a large pan with foil (big enough for the spring form pan to fit in).
Mix the graham crackers and sugar together and add the melted butter. Mix with a fork and press into a 9 inch spring form pan. Sprinkle the bottom of the crust with chocolate shavings from a candy bar.
Beat 3 packages of cream cheese with 1-1/2 cups white sugar until fluffy. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into the prepared spring form pan and place in the center of the foil covered pan. Fill with water.
Bake for 10 minutes and lower oven temperature to 300 degrees and bake for 70-80 minutes. The cheesecake is done when the center is firm. Cool completely on a wire rack.
TOPPING: Beat the cream cheese with the butter until fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and mix until smooth and creamy. Spread evenly over the top of the cooled cheesecake. Garnish with the shaved chocolate bar.
*Buttermilk: Place 1-1/2 tsp vinegar or lemon juice in 1/2 measuring cup and fill remainder with milk. Wait 15 minutes, stir, and it's ready for this recipe.