Recipe: Lemon Pepper Wings

"I have the right to life, liberty, and chicken wings." - Mindy Kaling

Super Bowl LII is a week away! We absolutely love football in our family. Growing up one of my best memories are watching the big event each year with my loved ones.

Today I'm sharing one of my favorite things to make for the game - fried chicken wings. My mother taught me this amazing recipe. Also, I've experimented with different sauces and seasonings throughout the years. Lemon pepper is a favorite within my family, and I hope it becomes yours too!

What you'll need:

  • 1 Bag of frozen chicken wing sections
  • Seasoned Salt
  • Paprika Seasoning
  • Lemon Pepper Seasoning
  • Red Pepper Seasoning
  • All-Purpose Flour
  • Canola Oil (if you are using the "deep fry" method)
  • Olive Oil (if you are using the "air fry" method)
  • 1 Stick of unsalted butter
  • Deep Fryer, Air Fryer, Grill, or Pot
  • 1 Saucepan
  • Plastic Gallon Freezer Bag
  • 2 Bowls
  • Paper Towels
  • Tongs

Step 1: Rinse off the frozen chicken wings sections in lukewarm water. Then, place sections in a bowl or a plastic gallon freezer bag. Once all of the wings are in there proper place, add seasonings generously and to your taste. Personally, I go a little heavy handed on the lemon pepper!

Pro Tip: I typically marinate my wings 24-48 hours prior to the day they will be cooked. Getting that extra flavor in is a must! If you choose to use an air fryer, add a tablespoon of olive oil to your seasoning mixture.

Step 2: Next, get a bowl and add 2 cups of all-purpose flour. Then add seasoning to your flour, I add seasoned salt and lemon pepper.

Step 3: Now, it is time to get that oil hot! Try to aim for the oil to be about 350 degrees before dropping the chicken in.

Pro Tip: Recently I have been using my air fryer and not deep frying my chicken! It is amazing, and you cannot tell the difference!

Step 4: While your oil is getting to the optimal temperature needed for frying, begin dredging the wings in the seasoned flour mixture. As each section is coated evenly in flour, place them on a plate so the mixture sticks properly.

Step 5: Now that the oil is ready, begin placing the wings into the fryer. Try to not crowd the wings in the vessel it's being cooked in. Cook your wings in batches, each set takes about 15-18 minutes.

Pro Tip: Crowding the pot will lower the temperature of the oil. This will take your chicken much longer to cook, and make them very greasy.

Step 6: As your chicken wings obtain that golden brown color, place them onto a nice stack of paper towels. 

Pro Tip: The paper towels absorb the oil from the chicken wings.

Step 7: Once your wings are all complete it's time to make the lemon pepper sauce! Melt a stick of butter in a saucepan. Once the butter is melted, drizzle the butter over the fried wings in a bowl. Then, add the lemon pepper seasoning and mix the wings to ensure it's coated evenly.

Step 8: Enjoy!

Pro Tip: These wings are even perfect grilled too!

XO, Analise

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Dining In

"The most essential part of my day is a proper dinner." - Rachael Ray

Currently G and I are snowed in at our home in Virginia Beach. During this time, we have been testing out some of the new kitchen gadgets I received for Christmas. We love trying new recipes, and the one I'm sharing today is our new favorite!

Earlier this week I made a scallop risotto dish for G, and he absolutely enjoyed it. Today, I am sharing this amazing recipe with all of you!

What You'll Need:

Step 1: Get that risotto going! 

  • In a heavy 2 qt. saucepan, saute rice in ½ Tbsp. olive oil over medium heat for 2 minutes.
  • Add 2 1/2 cups of water and contents of seasoning pouch. Stir well and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to simmer, cook uncovered for 20 minutes stirring occasionally until rice is tender.

Step 2: Now, begin cooking your bacon. Take several pieces of bacon, and cut them into thin strips. Then fry the bacon bits in a small pan over low to medium heat.

Step 3: Next, begin to saute your finely chopped mushrooms and asparagus spears. 

  • Add a ½ Tbsp. olive oil and lemon pepper sea salt into the pan of mushrooms. For the asparagus, add a ½ Tbsp. olive oil, black pepper and ½ Tbsp. olive oil. Both items should be cooked over medium heat.

* Pro Tip: Check on your veggies often to ensure they do not over cook. 

Step 4: Now, it is time for the scallops! Add a ½ Tbsp. butter and ½ Tbsp. olive oil into a pan over medium/high heat. Make sure that pan is hot to ensure the scallops have a nice golden brown sear on both sides. The scallops should cook for no more than 2 minutes on each side.

* Pro Tip: Pat your scallops dry to make sure there is not any extra moisture before searing. Also, season the scallops right before placing them into the pan. I use lemon pepper sea salt - and it is amazing!

* Bonus Pro Tip: Do not cook your scallops too long! Scallops become tough and chewy when they are overcooked.

Step 5: Finally, add your cooked mushrooms and bacon to the risotto. Stir the ingredients together in the saucepan.

Step 6: Plate, serve, and enjoy!

XO, Analise

Recipe: Oven Roasted Red Potatoes

"Food is maybe the only universal thing that really has the power to bring everyone together." - Guy Fieri

Roasted Red Potatoes are super easy to make and a favorite at my house! When I saw a similar recipe in Chrissy Teigen's Cravings cookbook, in that moment I knew she was my soulmate. Below is my favorite recipe for my roasted potatoes. 

What You'll Need

  • 1 bag of Baby Red Potatoes
  • Olive Oil
  • Garlic & Herb OR Lemon Pepper seasoning (lemon pepper seasoning is my personal fave!)
  • Sea Salt
  • Baking Sheet
  • Mixing Spoon
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Parchment Paper

Step 1: First, cut your potatoes into halves, making them into small wedges. While you are preparing the potatoes, go ahead and pre-heat that oven to 450 degrees. 

Step 2: Place them into a mixing bowl and add desired seasonings generously with olive oil. ** Depending on the amount of potatoes you are making, ensure that the olive oil and seasoning coat them evenly. 

Step 3: Once complete, place the seasoned and oiled potatoes onto a baking sheet with parchment paper, and place into the oven for 25-30 minutes! ** Why do I use parchment paper? It helps the potatoes to not stick to the baking sheet!

Step 4: Continue to check on the potatoes periodically to ensure that they are browned evenly. Use a large spoon to turn the potatoes over every 15 minutes.

Step 5: Once they look crispy, and the time is up, pull out the baking sheet. Then, let potatoes cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet.

Step 6: ENJOY and dip those potatoes into some ketchup :)

XO, Analise

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Recipe: The Goods

"Bake the world a better place."

I absolutely love baking, and lucky for me my entire family loves it when I do! My go to baked goods are chocolate chip pecan cookies, and fudge brownies with nuts or chocolate chips in them! I love hopping in the kitchen with my KitchenAid Stand Mixer , and watching my Real Housewives on Bravo!, while G does his famous quality control taste testing on the treats, ha :)

Below are my recipes for both items, and with the holidays coming up I'm making both of these goodies - otherwise I'm sure my family would disown me!

Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

First, mix the following ingredients together for about 30-45 seconds:

  • 1 cup of brown sugar
  • 1 cup of granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 sticks of softened butter
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla

Then gradually mix in the following items into the mixture above for about 2 minutes:

  • 1 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 3 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon of salt

Finally, my favorite part, adding in the chocolate chips and chopped pecans!

  • 6 ounces of dark chocolate chips
  • 6 ounces of pecans

Then roll each cookie, place then on baking sheet with parchment paper, heat the oven to 375 degrees, and bake for about 10-12 minutes. 

* Pro tip, add a dash of cinnamon to the cookies, or add a extra handful of pecans!

Fudge Brownies

First melt the following ingredients: 

  • 1/2 cup of butter
  • 4 squares of unsweetened chocolate 

Then mix the following items for about 2 minutes:

  • 1/2 cup of butter
  • 2 cups of sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoons of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla
  • 3 eggs (blend in each egg, one at a time)

Next, add the cooled chocolate to the previous mixture with 1 cup of all-purpose flour and mix for about 30 seconds. Throw in pecans or chocolate chips into the better, about 1 cup each.

Bake brownies for about 40-45 minutes, at 350 degrees. 

* Pro tip, I use a glass pan, and use parchment paper in the pan to get those goodies out of the pan easy and with no mess. Also, when cutting the brownies in those perfect squares, once they cool, use a plastic knife! The metal knife often times break the brownies, causing them to stick to the knife.

What are some of your favorite goodies to eat or bake? Enjoy!

XO, Analise

 

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