Food for Gaming: Classic Buffalo Wings

Food is such a wonderful thing. It gives us comfort and provides us with bouts of ecstasy and satisfaction with just a single bite. So you would think that it would go hand-in-hand with gaming. Yet that is not always the case. To find out which foods are perfect for gaming, we will be taking a look at the classic buffalo wings in our Food for Gaming feature.

So without further ado, let us talk about today’s food.

Classic Buffalo wings

Ah, buffalo wings!

It doesn’t take much to put me in the mood for this delicious item. Hell, just chasing chickens in Zelda will make me salivate at the thought of chicken wings. So it should come as no surprise that, when it comes to food, buffalo wings would have to be in my top 10. Nothing makes my mouth water more than the prospect of eating chicken wings that are smothered in hot sauce. While it may be one of the most marked-up items on a menu or in the grocery store, I just can’t help myself because they are so good.

Of course, there are two versions of buffalo wings: the classic version and the boneless version. Both are good but, personally, I greatly prefer my wings with the bone. They just taste better to me and I don’t want to eat sauced up nuggets (which is what boneless wings are). 

Now I am always on the lookout for places that serve great buffalo wings for cheap prices. Applebees has the half-off appetizers sale, after 10pm, while the local TGI Friday does something similar all-day on Sundays. Yet while Applebees’ wings are fine and Fridays’ wings are better, there is a joint called Buffalo Wild Wings which is pretty good and offers a ton of variety when it comes to sauces. 

However, I only eat out when I am with friends. Otherwise, I tend to make my own buffalo wings. It is the only way to get the best bang for my buck. I just buy raw, whole wings at my local food market, break them down, cook them, and then add my favorite sauce. 

Now there are different ways you can make wings. You can bread them, deep fry them, bake them, or eat them raw (I’m kidding on that last one). But for this review – I bought, cooked, and sauced the wings myself. I didn’t bread them, or put cornstarch on them for that extra crunch. I simply broke the wings down, put some olive oil on them, salt and pepper, and then baked them until they were done. Once cooked, I sauced them up and then took the pictures myself like the amateur photographer I try to be. 

Yet while I may love buffalo wings, the question I have to ask: is it a good choice for the gamer? 

That’s what you are here to find out!

Deliciousness

When it comes to the perfect buffalo wing there has to be a crunchy exterior, moist interior, and a great hot sauce. When those criteria are met, then the buffalo wings will always get a perfect score. They are absolutely delicious and can be served with any kind of sauce, not just hot sauce. Try sweet and sour or bbq if you find yourself unable to take the heat or if you get bored with eating just hot wings.

But for the buffalo wings, you need a good hot sauce. For me, I always go with Frank’s Red Hot Original Sauce. It is a vinegar-based cayenne pepper that has enough heat in it to light a small fire in my mouth and a tangy flavor to excite my taste buds. 

So scoring this is as easy as playing Dear Esther (all you do is walk around in that game).

Deliciousness Score: 5

Handling

Yes, wings are delicious. However, handling is not so great. The drummettes are the easiest part to eat. But if you want to eat the wingettes, it takes more effort to do so. Now some people have to eat the wingettes with two hands. Me? I can do it with one. Either way, though, the handling makes the consumption of wings a bit time-consuming.

So trying to eat wings while playing at the same time is not a juggling act you want to do. 

Sadly, I have to score it pretty low in this category.

Handling Score: 1

Finger Residue

Sauce. 

That one word is a dreaded one when mentioned alongside video games within the same sentence. But it is the sauce that truly elevates chicken wings. So given the fact that wings tend to be smothered in sauce makes the verdict on this a no-brainer. 

After all, the second you are done munching on that wing your fingers, and mouth depending how messy of an eater you are, will be covered with the sauce of your choice. Sure, you will lick your fingers clean, but there will probably be some residue still or even your saliva. Which means you don’t dare touch your controller until after you have wiped them clean.

And taking the time to clean your fingers means that you are spending less time playing your game. 

Still though, the sauce is so good! Just look at how vibrantly red it is!  Makes me want to play a vampire game. Might have to reinstall Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines….

But, once again, I’m going to have to give a low score for this category.

Finger Residue Score: 1

Forkability: 

When it comes to eating wings never, in my entire life, have I ever seen someone try to eat them with a fork. In fact, I would consider it sacrilegious to do so. It would be blasphemous in a way that someone would claim that playing in 720p is no different than playing a game in 1080p (get your eyes checked out!). 

But for this review, I had to stick a fork in it. 

Now, when it comes to the forkability factor, sticking a fork in the wingettes is easy enough. Just stab it between the two bones and there you go. Except that trying to eat it in a civilized manner is impossible. Almost as impossible as Mario ever getting to second base with Princess Peach. 

The drummettes, on the other hand, would be more difficult to use a fork on it. Though that could depend on how big the drummettes are as well. But you wouldn’t be able to get all the meat off the bone with either section without resorting to using your hands at some point. Either way, you are going to get sauce on your hands.

So say no to forking the wings!

Forkability Score: 1

Verdict

I have to say, it breaks my heart to render a verdict for one of my favorite foods. In fact, it hurts just as much as when my heart broke during the ending of Half-Life 2 (the wounds won’t heal until there is a Half-Life 3). Yet, the question must be asked and answered.

Are Classic Buffalo Wings Food for Gaming? The verdict is no. While perfectly cooked and sauced wings are very delicious, finger residue, handling, and forkability makes it a poor choice for those who want to eat while they game. 

So if you want to enjoy those wings, you’ll have to put down the controller or step away from your mouse and keyboard to eat them. 

Maybe take that as an opportunity to be bored to death while eating with your family and having to, *shudders*, converse with them. 

Classic Buffalo Wings: 1

Do you agree with the verdict? Do you like buffalo wings? What is your favorite hot sauce?

Let me know in the comments below!

And if you want to make your own wings here is the recipe for the wings itself both baked and fried. All you then need to do is add your sauce of choice.

Food for Gaming Chicken Wing Recipe

**Ingredients:**

For the Wings:

– 2 pounds (about 900g) chicken wings, split into drumettes and flats
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
– 1/2 teaspoon paprika
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for fried wings)

For the Baked Wings:

– Cooking spray or vegetable oil
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
– 1/4 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
– 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
– 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)

For the Fried Wings:

– Vegetable oil for frying (about 4 cups)
– 1/4 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

Instructions:

For Baked Wings:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and lightly grease it with cooking spray or oil.

2. In a large bowl, season the chicken wings with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Toss to coat the wings evenly.

3. Arrange the seasoned wings on the prepared wire rack, leaving space between each wing.

4. Bake the wings in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until they are crispy and cooked through. Turn the wings halfway through the baking time to ensure even cooking.

5. While the wings are baking, prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Keep warm.

6. Once the wings are done baking, transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Pour the sauce over the wings and toss until they are well coated.

For Fried Wings:

1. In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat about 4 cups of vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a large bowl, season the chicken wings with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Toss to coat the wings evenly.

3. Dredge each wing in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess.

4. Carefully add the wings to the hot oil, a few at a time, and fry until they are golden brown and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried wings and drain them on a paper towel-lined plate.

5. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the hot sauce and cayenne pepper.

6. Transfer the fried wings to a large mixing bowl and pour the sauce over them. Toss until the wings are well coated.

Serve your classic buffalo wings with celery sticks and blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping. Enjoy your delicious wings prepared two different ways but watch out for your gaming peripherals!

Author’s Note: Anyone who is interested in the pictures, I used my DSLR camera which is a Canon EOS 60D

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