I am a firm believer that a perfect combination of food and drink exists for every occasion. Whether it be a glass of pinot grigio during a romantic seafood dinner or a bit of scotch to help wash down the holiday pumpkin pie, nothing complements a beautiful moment quite like the harmony of beverage and cuisine.
While the aforementioned examples naturally lean toward sentimentalities, occasions of nourishment need not always be so serious. In fact, my favorite food and drink pairing is also the perfect accompaniment to my love of sporting events: an icy cold pint served with a basket of greasy deep-fried chicken wings. As the American football season approaches, the thought of scarfing down piping-hot wings on a brisk autumn day sends chills of excitement down my spine.
But alas, dear reader, we are at a crossroads. While the events of the past 18 months have forever changed our lives in several ways, perhaps none is more pronounced than random supply shortages. We have all experienced the disappointment of struggling to find our favorite staples from toilet paper and sanitizer to ketchup and cereal. Although the darkest days are hopefully in the past, a new threat has emerged: a shortage of chicken wings. You heard correctly. Large regions of the United States are experiencing shortages of chicken wings just weeks before the American football season begins.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. The current strategy of substituting chicken thighs for wings is simply inadequate; therefore, we must embrace the unconventional if an alternative solution is to be found. Surely another world exists where a species of the avian variety flourish and abound.
Then it dawned on me: another world does exist. A world filled with a species that boasts the largest and most beautiful wings. Of course, I am referring to the majestic Rito tribe from Breath of the Wild.
Now before the Zelda community labels this columnist as a desperate and uncaring monster, it was this very famished state that led me to an obscure Easter egg reference. Was I craving deep-fried chicken wings at the time? Absolutely. While playing Breath of the Wild one evening, did I entertain the thought of what a Rito might taste like? Perhaps. Regardless of the circumstances, my rumbly stomach caused me to stumble upon this nuance in Rito Village: Teba and Saki’s names subtly reference Japanese cuisine.
When visiting Teba and Saki’s home, the couple is always positioned with the husband on the left and the wife on the right. While this might simply be a coincidence, the position of Teba and Saki combine to form the Japanese word for “wingtip” and is a direct reference to a popular dish from the Nagoya region.
Deep-fried tebasaki wings are unique in that the meat is not covered with flour or any other coating. The lack of breading should naturally result in a softer consistency. Tebasaki wings, however, are famous for their extra crispy texture. The secret is that the Nagoya chefs perfected the art of double frying the wings at two different temperatures. The initial fry is performed at medium heat, which slowly cooks the meat. The oil temperature is then turned to extremely high heat, and the skin of the wings is seared into its renowned crispy texture.
Perhaps the development team was especially hungry as they put the finishing touches on Rito Village, but the subtle reference to a popular Japanese dish is clever. Although I might have to forego traditional buffalo-style chicken wings this fall, it is comforting to know that my local Japanese restaurant is still serving tebasaki. Who knows? Maybe this Naboya delicacy will even become my go-to snack during American football games. Regardless, whenever I scour the menu and my eyes land on the tebasaki appetizer, I will be grinning from ear to ear as I recall this little Easter egg from Breath of the Wild.
