A Manly Meal

You know, I hate it when I finally cook a big meal and then completely forget to take pictures. The intention is always there and yet I still end up kicking myself when it's time for a blog post. Fortunately, most of what I made I've posted about before, so I'm not completely at a loss. 

So my guys were planning a big hog hunt for Sunday morning. I've told you about those nasty feral hogs that are prone to tearing up the ranch land. 

This time, my husband decided to bring in a professional. A fella that uses dogs to locate and hold the pigs, then they are captured so they can be sold. Yes, wild hogs are still a source of meat.

Knowing my guys would be getting up early the next morning, even before things turned bright, mama decided to make them a manly dinner Saturday night. Big Daddy wanted wings (recipe here).

I also threw in a small slab of ribs I'd bought on sale, but I don't have a pic. 

Then there was corn on the cob and cowboy beans (recipe here) to help round out the meal. 

Those chunks of bacon and a hint of sweetness make these a real crowd pleaser.

And, of course, no meal is complete with dessert. At least not in my book. And what's more pleasing than a classic chocolate chip cookie (recipe here). 

What's cooking at your place?

Three time Carol Award finalist Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she's not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more a mindyobenhaus.com.

Winging It

by Mindy Obenhaus

This has been a fairly uneventful week around the Obi household and, trust me, I'm not complaining. Not after the year we've had.

Friday was the one year anniversary of our big move from the suburbs of Dallas-Ft. Worth to our family ranch in south-central Texas.

And after months of renovations, I am happy to say that we are pretty well settled into our new digs. One of these days I'll have to share some before and after photos.

I have to say, I am truly enjoying small-town life. They had a festival this past weekend and it was such a delight to be able to walk the courthouse square beneath the shade of century old magnolia and live oak trees, savoring the music and chatting with friends. Life moves at a slower pace here and that's fine by me.

After savoring some of the festival fare Friday and Saturday nights--they had several food trucks, one of which had some delicious fish tacos--the cooking was up to me on Sunday. I decided to keep thing simple with some grilled chicken wings.

I know I've shared these before, but some things are worth bringing up time and again.

Start with a bunch of wings. You a can buy them already cut, but I usually cut up my own. Whichever way you choose, toss them in a big bowl then add some of your favorite seasoning. I mix my own basic seasoning for meat. It's comprised of kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika.

I mix up a big batch every couple of months so it's always at the ready.

Then, for the wings, I like to add some smoked paprika.

A good bit of it, actually. I love the smoky aroma and that hint of smoke it imparts to the meat.

So sprinkle those over your wings.

And toss to coat.

Cook on a preheated grill, however the times will vary depending on your grill. Ours cooks with indirect heat and the temp stays at 400 degrees, so I usually do about 12 minutes per side, sometimes less, depending how cooked they are when I flip them.

If your grill is direct heat, don't have them too close to the flame, them monitor them after about 5 minutes. And remember, just because the outside is charred, which sometimes happens with direct heat, doesn't mean that the meat is cooked on the inside.

After the wings are cooked, you can sauce them as you like.

I kept mine au naturel and added some sweet potato fries I'd cooked up in my air fryer. Exactly what I was craving. Especially with my absolute favorite fry sauce. 

Some mayo, a little ketchup and a couple squirts of sriracha sauce.

Mmm, mmm, mmm. Now that's some good eatin'.

Of course, our dogs really love the country life. Remember this squirrel I've shown you a couple of times? The one that lives in the mulberry tree just outside our bedroom.

Yeah, well, Dixie finally discovered he was there.

Now, this is where she likes to spend her days.

The squirrel must have been active when I took these pix, because Dixie usually lays under the tree, occasionally looking up, watching for any signs of movement.

Now it's your turn. If could choose between city or rural life, which would you pick and why?

Three-time Carol Award finalist, Mindy Obenhaus, lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children, two dogs and countless cattle. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she's not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at mindyobenhaus.com.

Chicken Wings!!!!!

I have come to love chicken wings.

It's ridiculous, really, because this is what I SHOULD BE EATING!!!!!

But today, in honor of all those high schoolers doing double sessions for football season, and the upcoming NFL season, I bring you CHICKEN WINGS.

:)

These are easy. And they're $8.99 for  a dozen at our local pizza places, so this is a Must Make at Home dish!

I bought the ginormous bag of frozen, separated wings at Sam's Club. Here's the basic idea:

Remove a dozen wing pieces from bag.

Rinse under warm water just to get rid of ice glaze (it makes the oil spit too much)

Pat dry with paper towels, or your good hand towel and then use it to dry dishes.

(I'm kidding, for pity's sake. Of course you don't want Salmonella dishes! Silly you!)

Coat each piece with flour, seasoned with salt and pepper. (Like Southern Fried Chicken!!!!)

Fry at 375 degrees until dark golden brown and C-R-I-S-P-Y.  I used the deep fryer, but you can pan fry it like you do for fried chicken or pan fish... Put about 1 inches of oil in a deep frying pan, heat and put wings in carefully.... and turn as needed.

Drain on paper towels.

Toss with favorite sauce. We use a pan with a cover to "coat" them....

Throw the wings into the 2 or 3 quart sauce pan, add the sauce, cover and shake! Then serve!!!

We love "Country Sweet" sauce, it's got tang and sweetness, a perfect combo!!!!

Serve and enjoy!

Busy times here on the farm, and here at the desk! I'm loving how blessed we are to have everyone healthy and happy... for the moment!

Life is full of plastic pools and boats, speed racing on garage sale bikes in my driveway and a new chicken watering system that appears to be working!

Note the fancy CONCRETE block supports, LOL!

SWEET!!!! Happy hens lay happy eggs.

And bread for the farm stand:

And a cute kid!!!

And country kids, lovin' on the pick up truck:

You know those country songs about rockin' it out in the bed of a pick up truck? Dance parties?
Yup, we've got it workin'!