Sticky Wings-Super Bowl Sunday Part Deux

I'm a happy camper this week. First off, the Patriots did not win the Super Bowl. Secondly, I tested the capacity of my tiny condo and discovered that I can seat 10 people around a TV for a sporting event. Lastly, my Super Bowl party was a great success! With great food and company (and some very tasty jalapeno margaritas courtesy of my favorite bartender) a good time was had by all. I've made these wings a few times before and they are always a hit. As an added bonus, someone from Buffalo who knows her chicken wings, admitted she was impressed by these sweet and spicy wings. My friend Nick who has an awesome food blog (http://www.macheesmo.com/) is where I found this recipe initially. Check out his site for some awesome recipes. I know I do on a regular basis!


Sticky Wings

Ingredients

3-4 pounds chicken wings, about 3 dozen

Dry Rub:

• 1/4 Cup packed brown sugar
• 2 TB chili powder
• 2 TB finely ground coffee
• 1 1/2 TB Kosher salt
• 1 TB hot paprika
• 1 TB onion powder
• 1 TB garlic powder
• 1 TB fresh ground pepper
• 1 tsp dried thyme, crumble it up

 Sticky Sauce:

• 1/2 Cup rice vinegar
• 1 large shallot, finely chopped
• 2 TB fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• 1/4 Cup sugar
• 1-3 TB Sriracha hot chili sauce (depending on your spicy tastes)
• 6 TB canola or vegetable oil
• 1/4 Cup cilantro, chopped for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Combine all of the dry rub ingredients in a bowl and dip each chicken wing into the rub. No need to be shy when it comes to piling the rub on, just make sure there is enough to cover all of the wings.

Bake the wings for 40 minutes, turning at the 20 minute mark with a pair of tongs.

In the meantime, combine the sticky sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk until mixed. When the wings are almost done baking, heat the sauce in a large sauce pan over high heat for 5 minutes until sauce starts to thicken slightly. Then, place the wings into the pan, coating the wings with the sauce. Keep in heat for a minute or two and then remove. Place chopped cilantro on top for serving.