Outback Steakhouse Kookaburra Wings

This clone recipe uses a secret blend of powdered cheese sprinkles and spices. Kraft powdered cheese can be found near the Kraft Parmesan cheese or near the macaroni and cheese kits in your supermarket. If you can’t track it down, use Molly McButter cheese sprinkles. If you can’t find that, get a box of macaroni and cheese (it’s cheap) and use the cheese from inside there. Keep the leftover macaroni noodles for a pasta recipe later

MAKES 2 TO 3 SERVINGS AS AN APPETIZER

INGREDIENTS:

• 10 chicken wing drumettes (see Tidbits)
• 6 to 10 cups vegetable shortening or oil (amount required by your fryer)

WING COATING:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Kraft Macaroni & Cheese cheddar cheese topping (or Molly McButter cheese sprinkles)
• 1¼ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
• Dash of ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons Crystal brand Louisiana hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon water

ON THE SIDE:

• Bleu cheese dressing
• Celery sticks

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat shortening (you may also use vegetable or canola oil) to 375 degrees.
2. Make the spiced breading for your wings by combining the wing coating ingredients (flour through cloves) in a medium bowl. Stir well.
3. Dip each wing, one at a time into the breading. Give each one a light coating of the stuff. Arrange the breaded wings on a plate and let them sit uncovered in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
4. When the shortening or oil is hot, lower the wings into it. Fry for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the wings are brown.
5. While the wings are frying, mix the hot sauce and water together in a small bowl.
6. When the wings are done, drain them for a moment on paper towels or a rack. Drop the hot wings into a large plastic container with a lid. Pour the sauce over the wings. Cover the container and gently shake it to coat the wings with sauce.
7. Use tongs to remove the wings from the container. Arrange them on a plate with bleu cheese dressing and celery sticks on the side

TIDBITS

• There are two types of frozen chicken wings out there—the giant party wings that come with a couple dozen pieces per bag, and the smaller wings with nearly twice the number per bag. These smaller wings are what the restaurant uses and what you should use for this recipe. Because of the size of the bigger wings, they just don’t fry up as well. Also, you should know that most restaurants use shortening for frying. That’s what I suggest you use if you want your wings closer to the real thing.