Keeping the Legacy of Don's Wings Alive
There used to be a Golden Age of cuisine at the Dobson household. Oh yes there was a time when Big Don would put on the Cowboy hat, strap on the apron and cook up his prized Buffalo wings. He usually needed an excuse. A graduation party here, a birthday party there, a superbowl party over yonder. And we loved it. And everybody who ate one of his wings loved it. From Chris Mach to Rob Adams people would flock around the bowl and chomp away. We'd all line up begging for more and preying that they would not run out. I still believe to this day that his recipe is the best, despite the fact that he has toned down the intensity lately. No other wing holds water to a Don Wing.
And then, one day the wing making dropped off a bit. The family grew older. We split up. Graduation parties became far and few between as we had all moved closer to adulthood. And of course the biggest cog in the machine was Mom's ultimatum that Dad could not fry the wings in the house anymore because the oil soot was ruining the kitchen (Sorry Mom, but that sucks). He began to make the wings by donning the grill technique. This usually meant that we could only grace the pleasure of his tasty treats during the summer time. Now, don't get me wrong any Don Wing is a good wing, but a grilled wing doesn't hold water to a fried wing. I'm sorry Mom, that is truth speaking. And I do believe that a legacy has been lost. I don't know If I or Pat, or perhaps even Shan can take the reigns and begin frying again under Dad's tutelage.
As this summer approaches I am looking forward to BBQ's, Macaroni Salad, and grilled goodies. Hell, Dad just started making his kick ass homeade ice cream again after a healthy hiatus. The man knows his cuisine when he works his magic.
When I think about Don's Wings, I am duly happy and sad.
Happy that there were so many great memories and stories. People from Schenectady, Marlboro, and Selinsgrove always ask if my Dad is still making his wings. When he came to my Fraternity back in the college days for Parent's day he cooked up a batch and my friends just kept coming up to me saying, "Yo dude, your dad's wings kick ass." Go find Chris Manucci and bring up the name Don Dobson, you know what he is going to say, "Man those wings were wicked awesome, Dobbie!"
I am sad because they aren't fried anymore. I was hoping perhaps he could find a new venue to cook them. But it hasn't happened yet. For the past 5 years all wings that I've eaten have been grilled or baked. That's okay, but it is not great.
In a few weeks the Dobsons are going Buffalo to attend a wedding. As many people know Buffalo is where the Buffalo wing was invented. Perhaps, oh yes perhaps, the Chicken Wing Gods of Buffalo will spark the fire for a new generation of Don's Wings. They cannot disappear. It is our duty as Dobsons to keep the legacy of Don's Wings alive.
Love ya Dad,
Latro folks,
Dee
And then, one day the wing making dropped off a bit. The family grew older. We split up. Graduation parties became far and few between as we had all moved closer to adulthood. And of course the biggest cog in the machine was Mom's ultimatum that Dad could not fry the wings in the house anymore because the oil soot was ruining the kitchen (Sorry Mom, but that sucks). He began to make the wings by donning the grill technique. This usually meant that we could only grace the pleasure of his tasty treats during the summer time. Now, don't get me wrong any Don Wing is a good wing, but a grilled wing doesn't hold water to a fried wing. I'm sorry Mom, that is truth speaking. And I do believe that a legacy has been lost. I don't know If I or Pat, or perhaps even Shan can take the reigns and begin frying again under Dad's tutelage.
As this summer approaches I am looking forward to BBQ's, Macaroni Salad, and grilled goodies. Hell, Dad just started making his kick ass homeade ice cream again after a healthy hiatus. The man knows his cuisine when he works his magic.
When I think about Don's Wings, I am duly happy and sad.
Happy that there were so many great memories and stories. People from Schenectady, Marlboro, and Selinsgrove always ask if my Dad is still making his wings. When he came to my Fraternity back in the college days for Parent's day he cooked up a batch and my friends just kept coming up to me saying, "Yo dude, your dad's wings kick ass." Go find Chris Manucci and bring up the name Don Dobson, you know what he is going to say, "Man those wings were wicked awesome, Dobbie!"
I am sad because they aren't fried anymore. I was hoping perhaps he could find a new venue to cook them. But it hasn't happened yet. For the past 5 years all wings that I've eaten have been grilled or baked. That's okay, but it is not great.
In a few weeks the Dobsons are going Buffalo to attend a wedding. As many people know Buffalo is where the Buffalo wing was invented. Perhaps, oh yes perhaps, the Chicken Wing Gods of Buffalo will spark the fire for a new generation of Don's Wings. They cannot disappear. It is our duty as Dobsons to keep the legacy of Don's Wings alive.
Love ya Dad,
Latro folks,
Dee
posted by DeesKnees at 1:14 PM
8 Comments:
Indeed I saw it coming. On a visit after many years away from the parents house, I was so excited to learn "We were having Don's Wings!"....uhh wait, you're going to grill them Dad? I was very sceptical, and that scepticism turned to sadness when I DID taste them. Not the same texture, not the same amount of Buffalo sauce, not Don's Wings...Hearing that this was the way they were going to be cooked from now on, I had to keep the tradition alive. I shyly asked Dad for the recipe and he obliged. It was much much simpler then I expected, but I suspect there are 1 or 2 ingredients that he either left out or had forgotten over the long draught from preparing them. Even if I had the EXACT recipe it would not taste the same, because HE didn't make them. There is a certain "essence" if you will, (no not Emmeril), that every person has when they cook a dish for years, that makes it their own. Whether its the way they shake the salt or the manner in which they stir, it always tastes the same. So, yes I did carry on the tradition knowing damn well anyone who tried them would instantly recognize this delectable delight as a Don Wing. So without further adeu (achoo) , here is the recipe.
Jumbo Bag of Wings (make sure they are good size wings too)
BJ's is a good place for this
12 oz Franks hot Sauce
1 Stick butter (margerine dont work here)
Garlic Salt
Celery Salt
Deep fry the wings till WELL DONE
In saucepan simmer hot sauce and butter on low low low stirring more than occasionally.
The Garlic and Celery salt are the tricky parts but I usually use 2 shakes of each (this is the part I havent gotten down yet correctly I'm sure)
When wings are done let rest on papertowel for a minute and then transfer to a bowl with a lid.
Generously ladle some sauce into the bowl, close lid and shake vigorously. Accompany some cut celery and carrots with some bleu cheese dressing and enjoy Don's Wings! Best wings you ever had.
Wow,
He's let the cat out of the bag. I wasn't expecting the recipe to be out there in the open. It doesn't matter though; like you said only Don can put the magic touch in his wings. And perhaps only he is able to make them the way they are meant to be.
I think he puts some other stuff in there that you aren't mentioning. I heard a rumor a few years ago that he isn't going to let anybody know how "he" makes em until he feels it is the right moment. But who will he pass this wisdom to?? Is it you Shan? Perhaps it is John? Or maybe a grand kid...Ethan, do you have in your rolodex of recipes?
Or maybe, just maybe he passed it on to Blue before he passed away. Though giving a recipe to a dog probably isn't logical. Then again neither is this blog.
I say, next time we are all together we force him to make them the right way, or we hold Mom down. She is the key. Always go to Mom to get to Dad.
Latro,
Dee
..ahh, there is a rumour that there will be a field trip to the original bar in Buffalo where dad got the idea. This will hapen during a certian cousin's wedding. And Shan, I talked to a little bird( actualy not little at all more like 300 pounds) that said that you left 2 things out of the recipe and one of them was the most important.
Patispoop,
Are we Britons now? Ruomours? Next thing you know we are going to be talking about colour cordination.
Anyway, I believe the missing recipie is burried in some great Lost Temple that only Don has the map to. It shall be our quest to go forth and find it ala Goonies.
Late,
Dee
rumour
n : gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth [syn: rumor, hearsay] v : tell or spread rumors; "It was rumored that the next president would be a woman" [syn: rumor, bruit]
Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University
As you can see, dear brother, both spellings are accurate.
And I have to say that Goonies is way past my time and feel it is infinitely childish and has no retro-value, unlike many other childhood movies, per example : "Willy Wonka" or "Emmet Otters Jugband Christmas" as well as many others.
I am always amazed at how many people look back so fondly on such a ill concieved and utterly unbelievable plot. I just don't get it. Perhaps its time again to give it another shot, no, on the other hand I don't think I can bear it. Does anyone have a copy they can lend me? I don't think I can afford the 3 dollars to rent it.
Sorry to get off the subject. I believe we will indeed solve this mystery, very soon, in a dark saloon somewhere in the streets of a cold city named after a hairy cow. Perhaps then we shall learn the true colour and ingredients, and the proper preparation of Don's wings. We may have to beat it out of the big bird, but I believe it can be done indeed!
This is weird. I was just talking about those hot wings yesterday. This is before I read your blog mind you. Those were some hot wings. I am not sure if I have ever had wings that hot anywhere else. I do know they were good. I remember I had to keep eating them or my mouth got too hot. A nice tangy hot if I remember. Very messy with lots of sauce. I'm hungry now.
I realize that both spellings are accurate, one is just British and snobby.
Goonies was a classic. Did you know they are making a sequel? I ain't lying. They are even supposed to have the old cast back.
I have it on DVD if you want to borrow it. By the way can you give me back my Garden State DVD?
Thanks a lot Paco.
Dee
Brad,
They haven't been that hot since your day. The old man toned it down to suit our gentle taste buds.
Buffalo here we come.
Late,
Dee
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