Buttermilk Fried Chicken Wings

This is THE recipe for yummy real deal homemade cry for your mama fried chicken, it makes a great appetizer wing too.  Here are mine in Loving Memory of Ted Kratter:

INGREDIENTS:

2 pounds of whole chicken wings

2 cups buttermilk

1 large onion, sliced

1/4 cup chopped mixed fresh herbs (parsley, tarragon, thyme) or a teaspoon each of the dried herbs.

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon onion salt

Salt and pepper

COOKING MUSIC SELECTION: Fried Chicken Song

PREPARATION:

2 cups peanut oil, or other high smoke-point oil such as canola oil. Soak chicken overnight in buttermilk with onions, herbs, paprika, and cayenne pepper.  Drain in colander, leaving some herbs on chicken. In a large paper or plastic (sturdy) bag, mix flour with seasonings. Meanwhile, heat 2 cups oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron, stainless steel, or anodized aluminum - something that can take the heat) on medium high heat until a pinch of flour starts to sizzle when dropped in the hot oil (but not so hot that the pan is smoking). Remember when working with hot oil, keep your clothes on.

Place chicken pieces in bag with flour and shake until thoroughly coated. Add chicken to hot pan and fry on 1 side for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown, and then use tongs to turn the pieces over and fry for another 10-12 minutes, again until golden brown.

Be careful to keep the oil hot enough to fry the chicken, but not so high as it burns the chicken. To do this on our electric stove we have to alternate the settings between high to medium high several times while we are cooking.

Use tongs to remove chicken from pan. Place on a rack over a cookie sheet or broiling pan for the excess oil to drain. Add more salt and pepper to taste.