Buffalo Hot Wings

I wish there were adequate words to explain how so very seriously I take my hot wing indulgence.  And I have my mother to blame for this.  The day she began making hot wings for our family years ago was the day my obsession with the crispy, saucy, spicy guilty pleasure began.  Like a short-order cook, she achieved the perfect marriage of super crispy skin and the best buffalo sauce (translation: thick enough to coat the wing without separating into its respective hot sauce and butter parts, with a tangy kick to match.)

And so, from then until now, my quest for the perfect hot wing (besides my mama's) has always been about crispy skin and the perfect sauce.  And here enters my own fuss-free, scrumptious recipe that I began making a little while ago and can't rave about enough. 

First off, they're baked--not fried.  So for those who care, this is now a guilt-free indulgence! And the two ingredient sauce brings the tangy, vinegary, salty, spicy zip that all buffalo hot wings should be known for.  The perfect hot wing, in my kitchen, without the grease or the guilt, is euphoric.  It's the best winning combination I've come across in a while and when you make them, I'm sure you'll agree.

Happy Eating!

Buffalo Hot Wings
Ingredients:
2 lbs. chicken wings
Salt, pepper and garlic powder, to taste (or a poultry seasoning blend)
3/4 cup of hot sauce (recommended: Louisiana hot sauce)
1 tablespoon of butter
 
Method:
Preheat oven to 425 F.

Pat the skin of the wings dry with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture.  Inside a large baking dish, season wings liberally with salt, pepper and garlic powder (or desired seasoning blend).  Place dish in preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until skin reaches desired level of crispness.  

Remove wings from oven and set aside.  Melt butter into hot sauce, stirring occasionally, and bring sauce to a brief boil.  Lower heat slightly and allow sauce to continue to simmer, while reducing and thickening, about 5 minutes longer.  (Cook's note: adjust ratio of sauce to butter, as desired.  You may also add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to reduce the spiciness.)  

Dip each wing in buffalo sauce to coat. Serve and enjoy! 

Pico de Gallo & Chile Spiced Tortilla Chips

So it's game day and you're in snack mode and about to reach for the chips and dip yet again.  But before you consider another round of chips and dip as usual, switch gears and bring some of your game day/tailgating/snacking/entertaining focus to chips and dips--as they should be.

I'm a chips and salsa aficionado (if ever there was such a thing), and this pico is everything I love: bright and fresh ingredients, with the perfect accent of kick and punch from the jalapeno and lime juice.  Beyond a chip companion, this pico is just as delicious atop chili or as a side salad.

Now for the tortilla chips.  First off, they are baked--not fried--and come out of the oven golden and crisp, as every tortilla chip should.  Finished with a smoky, chile salt blend, it's another level in indulgent snacking. 

 
So let the games--and good eats--begin!

Happy Eating!

Pico de Gallo & Chile Spiced Tortilla Chips

Pico de Gallo
Ingredients:
4-5 Roma tomatoes, chopped
1/4 red onion, diced
1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
The juice of 1 lime
Salt, to taste 

Method:
Add the ingredients to a bowl, toss to combine and enjoy!

Chile Spiced Tortilla Chips
Ingredients:
Corn tortillas, cut into quarters
Non-stick cooking spray
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon chile powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Method:
Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Combine salt, chile powder, cumin and cayenne pepper in a bowl.  Set aside.

Arrange cut tortillas on a foil lined baking sheet.  Spray with cooking spray and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove baked tortilla chips from the oven and immediately finish with a sprinkling of the chile salt.  Enjoy!
 
     

All The Game Day Eats!

When you're ready to relax and take in the big game, you need the perfect eats to make it complete.

Whether you fancy hearty eats, super snacks, decadent desserts, or all of the above, we've got you covered for the best game day eats!  These recipes come together easily and are ideal for hosting small and large parties, alike.  

So here's to the perfect pair: Winning--& Happy Eating! 

Game Day Eats:

Sip

Arnold Palmer Special

Sangria Mocktails

Snacks

The  Best Guacamole

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

Mini Sausage Rolls

Buffalo Hot Wings

Pico de Gallo & Chile Spiced Tortilla Chips 

Sugar, Herbs and Spiced Nuts  

Main Course

The Best Turkey Burger
 
Spicy Three Bean Chili 

Dessert

Cocoa Brownies with Browned Butter and Fleur de Sel 

Chocolate Chip and Sea Salt Cookies