Crispy Lollipops with Apricot Mop

How to make Crispy Lollipops with Apricot Mop Recipe - Make the Apricot Mop one of your standard “go-to” condiments. It lasts indefinitely in the refrigerator and is great brushed on any meat or seafood coming off the barbecue grill. You can also use it as a dipping sauce for chilled jumbo shrimp, or add it to salad dressing for an apricot vinaigrette. And if you omit the chile sauce, the Apricot Mop is great on pancakes, waffles, cheesecakes, and ice cream.

Serves 4 as an entrée and 6 to 12 as an appetizer

Ingredients:
12 chicken wings
2 cups buttermilk
½ cup chopped cilantro sprigs
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon crushed red chile flakes
1 tablespoon salt
1¼ cups unbleached white flour
2 cups flavorless cooking oil

APRICOT MOP:
2 cups apricot jam
1 cup white distilled vinegar
1 cup water
2 tablespoons minced ginger
2 teaspoons Asian chile sauce

Method:
Lollipop the chicken wings. In a bowl, combine the buttermilk, cilantro, garlic, chile flakes, salt, and flour. Stir well. Pour the batter into a 9 × 9- inch baking pan. Add the chicken wings, meaty side down, so the meaty ends are completely coated with the batter. Marinate the wings in the refrigerator for 1 to 24 hours (the longer, the better).

To make the mop, in a saucepan, combine all the mop ingredients. Bring to a low boil, then cool to room temperature. This can be done 24 hours before cooking; place everything in the refrigerator.

To cook, warm the mop in a saucepan. Place a 12-inch frying pan over medium-high heat on an indoor stovetop or an outdoor gas grill. Add the cooking oil. Heat the oil until bubbles form around the end of a wooden spoon dipped into the oil (350 to 375°F). Place 12 lollipops meaty side down into the oil.

Deep-fry until the batter becomes deep golden and the meat is cooked along the bone (cut into one with a paring knife). Total cooking time is about 8 minutes. Transfer the wings to a wire rack to drain. Cook the second batch of wings. Serve with the Apricot Mop or your favorite dipping sauce.