In preparation for next month's 74th Emmy® Awards, and in the spirit of celebrating the best moments in television with your nearest and dearest, Social Studies has teamed up with Ketel One Vodka to bring you the best that the worlds of effortless entertaining and elevated cocktails have to offer—an ultimate at-home Emmys hosting collection. Meet Born to Cocktail, an assortment of award show viewing party essentials available to you to rent as a bundle, or purchase á la carte.
To help you throw an elevated and memorable get-together come September 12, gracious host and Emmy-nominated actor, Colman Domingo, is sharing some of his go-to party dishes that are sure to have your guests reaching for seconds. For the ultimate experience, make sure your cocktails are are also red carpet-worthy by preparing these crowd-pleasing sips from the Ketel One Vodka Official Emmys Cocktail Collection.
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Q: What types of cuisines and dishes do you love to serve when hosting?
Colman: I throw incredible dinner parties where I prepare French food, northern Italian fare, or BBQ meals. I also enjoy fun, soulful food, and love a good chicken and waffles situation. [Ed. Note: Recipe below!]
Q: What are your go-tos in terms of light bites and appetizers?
Colman: As for hors d'oeuvres, I love chicken kebabs or bacon-wrapped dates. For social gatherings, a recent favorite of mine have been shrimp and grits cocktails. They're always a hit—you can't go wrong!
Q: Do you have a cooking ritual that helps you set the mood for the gathering ahead?
Colman: Playing music, no question. I tend to play host, that's my role. Host and DJ. The music is on well before my first guest arrives, and stays on after the last one leaves! The playlist, BUTTER, on Spotify is my favorite.
Red Velvet Waffles & Chicken: Recipe for a Party
Ingredients for Chicken:
- 8-10 Chicken wings, split into drums and flats if desired
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- All purpose flower
- Seasoning salt
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Black pepper
Method for Chicken:
- Heat oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat (or use a deep fryer). In the meantime, season chicken liberally with all of the seasonings, ensuring to coat evenly.
- Toss the wings in flour mixture to coat evenly. Gently place the wings in hot oil careful not to overcrowd pan.
- Fry wings on each side for 7 minutes, remove them and drain on a rack or paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Let the wings sit for 5 minutes for breading to settle.
How to Make Red Velvet Waffles:
To keep things simple, use a pre-made waffle mix. Mix the waffles according to the package instructions, which usually require an egg and vegetable oil. Add in cacao powder and red food coloring—the key ingredients that help achieve the red velvet flavor. Add a drop of vanilla extract—about 1/8 teaspoon—for another layer of flavor.
Once the waffles are done, serve them with the chicken and use a fine mesh strainer to dust the powdered sugar over them. Serve the waffles and chicken with your favorite syrup warmed up.
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KETEL ONE Vodka. Distilled from Grain. 40% Alc/Vol. © Double Eagle Brands, B.V. Imported by Ketel One USA, Aliso Viejo, CA. Enjoy responsibly. Only share with those 21+.
Red Velvet Waffles & Chicken recipe by Tamara J.
