Buffalo Wings with Blue Cheese Coleslaw

Sorry guys, we know it's been a while since our last post. Bev and I have been pretty tied up with work and all for the last few weeks. Anyway, we're back again, and here is the first of a few backlogged entries to come.



This is a recipe for buffalo wings from Bev's stack of recipe cuttings. I matched these wings with a recipe for blue cheese cloeslaw that I chanced upon at CHOW.com, one of my favourite foodie sites. And as funky as it sounds (blue cheese coleslaw), it actually makes perfect sense, seeing that buffalo wings are typically served with crunchy vegetables and a blue cheese sauce!

Just keep in mind, if you were to use the Italian Gorgonzola for the blue cheese, be sure to use Gorgonzola Picante (a sharp gorgonzola) instead of Gorgonzola Dolce (a milder, sweeter gorgonzola), as there will be huge variances in the results. Also, instead of undertaking the labour intensive task of shaving my own vegetables for the slaw, I simply popped open a bag of ready shaved coleslaw vegetables from the supermarket. Ah, the conveniences of modern day grocery shopping!



Buffalo Wings

1/2 dozen chicken wings
2 tbsps melted butter
4 tbsps tabasco sauce
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsps salt
1/2 tsps cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp cracked black pepper

Toss wings with all of the specified ingredients. Marinate for at least one hour. Grill in a hot oven, at 210 degrees celcius, for 10 minutes on each side, basting frequently with the left over marinade.

Blue Cheese Coleslaw

recipe at CHOW.com

Southern Fried Catfish with Mac & Cheese

Catfish are very common here in the waters of the Brisbane river. 2 nights ago, Eddie and I went to the river in hopes of hooking us up some dinner. And did we indeed, with the capture of 3 fine looking catfish. Actually, I think it was him that caught all of the fish..

We decided to cook them up with a cornmeal coating, a.k.a. 'Southern' style. I also made a simple macaroni and cheese to go alongside the fish.

Catfish require a different cleaning technique compared to most other fish. Visit this website to learn how to clean and prepare whole catfish.



'Southern' Fried Catfish

Fillets of catfish, cut into chunks
1 cup full cream milk/buttermilk
1 tsp cayenne pepper/paprika
1 egg
salt and pepper
Cornmeal (polenta) for crumbing

Mix the milk, cayenne/paprika, egg and seasoning in a bowl. Add chunks of catfish and leave to soak for at least 30 mins. Dredge in a separate bowl containing cornmeal. Deep fry till golden.

*the soaking process takes away some of the muddy flavours associated with catfish. This recipe also works well with other seafoods such as prawns and calamari.



Mac & Cheese

450 grams dried macaroni (or other small pasta shape)
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 heaped tbsp of butter
1 heaped tbsp of plain flour
3 cups milk
1 cup shredded tasty cheese/cheddar
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)
a pinch of grated nutmeg
salt and pepper

Cook macaroni according to packet directions and drain. Heat butter in large saucepan and cook onion and garlic till translucent. Add flour and stir constantly till flour turns slightly brown, about 2 minutes. Gradually pour in the milk while constantly stirring. Let simmer for 5-10 minutes, till milk thickens, and then stir in the cheeses and nutmeg. Season to taste with a good amount of salt and pepper. Toss hot sauce with macaroni just before serving.

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