NCAA Tournament Time and March Madness Munchies!
Folks, I have to admit that many times I have a lazy streak and by that I mean I ‘buy’ rather than ‘make’ if you know what I mean. Chicken Wings have fallen into that category at times. However,….However instead of buying a bucket of Buffalo Wings, I decided to dig into my recipes and see if I could find a simpler recipe. One where I didn’t have to dip, dredge and deep fry before saucing.
And there it was! I pulled out the almost clean recipe from my recipe file with the name Lou Albers on it. Hmmmmmm? Who was Lou Albers and I am sorry I don’t remember you, perhaps you were my Avon Lady 20 years ago? But I digress!
I made this recipe last week and it was so easy to make….and the Captain raved about it and suggested we have these wings at our Big 12 Tournament which falls a few days in front of the March Madness Tournament or The Dance or as it is officially known…the NCAA Mens College Basketball Tournament.
The Kansas Jayhawk College Basketball Team
You see my Kansas Jayhawks haven’t been playing as consistently has in previous seasons… However, they played well enough to rank 3rd in the Big 12 Tournament which means that they get a Double Bye and don’t have to play in the 5 straight day tournament until the 3rd day. The tournament starts on Tuesday and the Jayhawks play on Thursday! Rock Chalk Jayhawk! I guess you can tell I am a little stoked as I wasn’t sure where we would be ranked and we are thankful to be ranked 3rd in the Conference! BTW my favorite player this year is Tre White…For many others it is the phenom Daryn Peterson, #22 who is expected to be taken in round 1 of the NBA Draft. I personally like the quiet consistency of Tre White, #3 in the photo above.
The Big 12 Tournament Bracket
A Little History
The Kansas Jayhawks (since 1996-97) have managed to have really good teams over the years and have dominated the Big 12 Conference with an NCAA-record of 14 consecutive regular-season titles from 2005 to 2018. Kansas has won or shared 19 Big 12 regular season titles since the conference began. Furthermore, Kansas has won 11 Big 12 Conference Tournament titles. So as I said I am thankful we are 3rd in our Conference this year! We could have been worse although we seem to be peaking…at least I hope so for the Big 12 tourny and the Big Dance Tourny.
And Flory Bidunga was voted the #1 All Defensive Player of the year! Yay! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
And here he is in action when we played Baylor!
AND below is a photo when we beat the #1 Team, Arizona (which is probably why we moved up in the rankings)
I would be remiss if I didn’t speak about MARCH MADNESS, also known as the BIG DANCE …officially the NCAA Tournament.
- The Tournament consists of 68 of the top college basketball teams all across the United States and is a single-elimination competition consisting of seven rounds. Teams advance to the Final Four where the 4 best teams face-off, with the final two teams playing for the National Title and the runner-up.
The Kansas Jayhawks have won six total men’s basketball national championships, including four NCAA tournament titles (1952, 1988, 2008, 2022,) and two Helms Foundation championships in 1922, 1923. The most recent 2022 title featured the largest halftime comeback in NCAA championship history (16 points). Kansas went to the final six additional times but unfortunately lost, coming in second (runner-up) in 1940, 1953, 1957, 1991, 2003, and 2012. So advancing to the finals 12 different years is quite an accomplishment which is why Kansas is called a ‘Blue Blood Team’ along with a couple other National basketball programs.
Coach Bill Self in the trophy room. Ok, I am sure that is more information than most of you want to know, but those who know me well, know I bleed Blue and White!
So Let’s Talk Chicken Wings
Now I have to tell you this recipe is so easy and clean up is a breeze. I don’t know how I let this reside in my recipe box for all these years (and it has to be quite a few years) but I have it out now and we love how the wings were a bit crispy on the outside but moist and tender on the inside. Also, I have to confess that the Captain likes his sauce on the side so he can dip his wings. The recipe call for tossing the finished wings in your favorite sauce. I like Franks Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce or Buffalo Wild Wings Sauce or plain ole’ Blue Cheese dip.
The full recipe follows but all you do is toss the butter into a sheet pan and put in the oven And THEN turn your oven on. Meanwhile mix up the Self-Rising Flour, Seasoned Salt, Garlic Powder and Pepper. Rinse and pat dry the chicken wings, toss the wings in the flour and place the wings into the melted butter in the pan and into the oven. Wait 30 minutes and turn the wings over, bake another 20-30 minutes and BOOM they are done. Toss the wings in your favorite sauce or serve them plain with Blue Cheese Dip. Easy Peasy. This has become my new favorite way to make hot wings. Thanks again Lou Albers.
Please let me know if you try these and if you like them.
- Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV): “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”.
March Madness Baked Hot Wings
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds Chicken Wings
- 1 1/2 sticks Butter
- 1/4 cup Self-Rising Flour (or a little more if desired)
- 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Tsp Lawrys Seasoned Salt (more if desired)
- 1/2 Tsp Fresh Black Pepper
Instructions
- Place butter into a sheet pan with sides and place into your oven and turn the temp to 400 degrees (do not preheat before putting in the butter)
- In a large bowl, quickly stir all dry ingredients together and set aside
- Rinse wings and pat dry with paper towels and toss wings into the flour mixture (make sure you dry well as this makes for crisp exterior and moist interior of your wings...you can let floured wings sit for a few minutes on rack if butter isn't melted)
- By this time, your oven should be heated and your butter will be melted.
- Carefully Place wings in hot butter (not touching) and place pan back into oven
- Bake for 30 minutes and remove pan from oven.
- Using tongs, turn each wing piece over and put back in the oven for 30 more minutes or until done. (You can Use meat thermometer at 165 degrees as you do not want to over cook or under cook your wings)
- Remove from oven and place on rack to cool for 5 minutes while you mix up your favorite wing sauce to toss your wings.
- The Captain prefers to dip his wings instead of having them coated in sauce but it is your personal preference.
Kari, I love your excitement about basketball and your team. I enjoyed Alabama basketball with my sweet Daddy. I haven’t watched a game this year, my heart is just not in it.
However, your wings sound delicious for any occasion. Wishing you a lovely weekend, my dear friend!🏀⛹️🏀
Pam I can understand your reluctance to watch Alabama basketball this year…I know how you miss your precious Daddy. Perhaps some day…. 🙏🏻
I do get excited about KU Jayhawks basketball, as they are about the only thing that will keep me up past 10PM these days. 😂Thanks for stopping by my sweet sister!
Kari, Excellent write-up of March Madness and the background of our favorite team, the Jayhawks. There have been so many favorite players from the past, but two of mine were Frank Mason and Devonte Graham, well maybe add Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, Mario Chalmers, etc., etc. Well the present team is the same. I love them all. I like how Flory smiles after a lob or a dunk, how Melvin drives in the ball, the consistency of Tre, and how easy that Darryn makes a play look. Hope they have a great game tonight and stay out of foul trouble.
Your chicken wings look delicious. Our game snack was always popcorn made in a copper popcorn popper from back in the 60’s. Now my husband has to watch his salt intake, so the popcorn has been on the back burner.
Oh Jan…I was getting a little worried during the game last night. Whew! but they finally pulled it out. Rock Chalk! Did you see where they are pulling up the LED floor and replacing it with the normal hardwood for the rest of the tournament? I did notice players during the week slipping a bit…and the Texas Tech player pulled a groin muscle. I hope he is ok to play at the Dance. Bill Self and the guys said it didn’t matter to them one way or another, but maintenance started pulling it up right after the KU/TCU game. And now we meet Houston…again.🫣 I love popcorn and eat it sometimes for dinner (when the Captain is flying) A copper kettle sounds perfect for the job. 🥰
Rock Chalk Jayhawks! My mom loved them, but the last game she saw was in 1986. At that time Roy was the coach and she thought he was a wonderful man. He did send her a letter when he learned she was dying of ovarian cancer. Our whole family watched the games with her.
Your wings sound delicious, but you know Ron won’t eat chicken since he got so sick on it in the military.
Hugs,
Sandy
Roy was/is a great guy! How sweet of him to send a letter to your Mom. Little things like that mean a lot to a Fan Base. I believe Bill Self is of that same caliber, and has a Foundation he supports. KU plays Houston tonight (again), we split games with them earlier this season…guess this one will be the tiebreaker.
I remember that about Ron and Chicken….however, I am the opposite! I love Chicken better than steak. LOL thanks for stopping by dear friend. Rock Chalk!
Thanks for sharing the recipe, Kari. We always wait to see where Michigan State (the home team!) will end up with the NCAAs and such. It sounds like you’ll have some fun entertaining in store!
I love chicken Jeanie….I grew up on fried chicken, mashed potatoes/gravy, corn, coleslaw and biscuits. Nothing unhealthy! NOT. 🥰
Michigan State is doing well this year and should go far at the Dance. …and I have always liked Tom Izzo. There are not many of the ‘older’ coaches around anymore. I guess like everything else…Life moves on. Have a great and blessed day my friend.
I always make wings in the air fryer, they are very crispy, no need for flour, the grease is collected in the bottom pan away from the wings. I load them up with spices before putting them in the air fryer. Now I do use self rising flour when making my Greek yogurt pizza crust. A side note, did you know that non organic chickens are fed fluoride feed. A good reason to always buy organic in everything!
Thanks Analiese! I love to use my air fryer and am always finding new ideas for using it. I do buy organic wings (chicken) as I am very concerned about Dementia causing properties. I don’t have any scientific evidence but people eat more processed foods these days and we seem to hear more of our friends and relatives diagnosed. Something to think about. Thanks for stopping by.