Binging With Babish

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Lemon Pepper Wet inspired by Atlanta

Andrew Rea

Lemon Pepper Wet is an Atlantan institution, virtually unknown outside the Peach State until Donald Glover's groundbreaking series made us salivate without even showing us the pay dirt. Look behind the Pulp-Fiction-style glowing MacGuffin and see the saucy, zesty wings underneath with this week's episode. Shout out to J. Kenji Lopez-Alt for his groundbreaking oven wing technique.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken wings, separated into pieces

  • 1 Tbsp lemon-pepper seasoning (see below to make seasoning from scratch)

  • 1/4 cup buffalo sauce (for JR Crickets version)

  • 1/4 cup clarified butter (for American Deli version)

  • 2 quarts vegetable oil

Method: Deep Fry Version

Makes 2 pounds of wings

  1. Preheat frying oil to 350°F.  Fry wings for 7-10 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.  For JR Crickets version, toss with lemon pepper seasoning, followed by buffalo sauce.  For American Deli version, toss with lemon pepper seasoning, followed by clarified butter.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken wings, separated into pieces

  • 2 tsp kosher salt

  • 2 tsp baking powder

  • 1 Tbsp lemon-pepper seasoning (see below to make seasoning from scratch)

  • 1/4 cup buffalo sauce (for JR Crickets version)

  • 1/4 cup clarified butter (for American Deli version)

Method: Oven Fry Version

Makes 2 pounds of wings

  1. Combine kosher salt and baking powder, and sprinkle over wings.  Toss until thoroughly coated, and place wings, far apart enough so that they’re not touching, on a wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet.  Refrigerate overnight, uncovered, and allow to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking at 450°F for 35-45 minutes, until brown and crisp.  For JR Crickets version, toss with lemon pepper seasoning, followed by buffalo sauce.  For American Deli version, toss with lemon pepper seasoning, followed by clarified butter.

Ingredients

  • 3 lemons, zested

  • 2 Tbsp pepper

  • 1 tsp sugar

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tsp onion powder

  • 1 tsp celery salt

Method: Lemon Pepper Seasoning

  1. Set oven to lowest possible temperature. Spread lemon zest out on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for 45-75 minutes, until completely dried.  Pulse in a food processor until ground to granules, and whisk together with remaining ingredients.