Ingredients:
- 12 pcs. Chicken wing first joints (alsocalled “drumettes”)
- 1 cup hot pepper sauce
- vegetable oil for deep frying
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons plus 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Cooking Instructions:
- Stand a drumette on its wide end, and, holding the narrow bone at the top, use a paring knife to push and scrape the skin and meat down- ward to expose the bone and make a plump “lollipop” of chicken at the bottom.
Repeat with the remaining drumettes. - Toss the lollipops in 1/2 cup of the hot pepper sauce in a nonreactive bowl (see cook’s note, below) and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Heat about 3 inches of oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees f.
- While the oil heats, melt the butter with the remaining 1/2 cup hot sauce and 2 teaspoons of the cajun seasoning.
- Stir to blend well and set the mix- ture aside in a warm spot.
- Line a large plate with paper towels. Whisk flour with the remaining
2 tablespoons cajun seasoning. Fry until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Drain on prepared plate. - When all the lollipops are cooked, put them in a large bowl and toss them with the warm spiced butter. Serve lollipops warm or at room temperature.