Tequila Wings
Most everyone likes a good chicken wing and if you are my turban-wearing friend, you like them more than most! The problem with the chicken wing at home is that the traditional preparation is done in a deep fryer. Most people don’t have one of these at home and the thought of super heating a large vat of oil while three beers into an occasion may conflict with your homeowner’s policy.
These wings are easy to prep and they are made in the relative safety of your oven.
Ingredients
2 oz. Tequila (not the cheap stuff!)
1/2 cup of orange juice
1/4 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup of olive oil
juice of one lime
2 tablespoons of ancho chili powder
1 teaspoon of chipotle chili powder
4 garlic cloves very finely minced
2 teaspoons of salt
2 teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper
5 lbs of chicken wings - tips not included and halved at the joint
1/2 cup of toasted and semi-coarse ground Pepitas (pumpkin seeds) - a few pulses in the food processor does the trick.
1/2 cup of semi-coarse ground blue tortilla chips
Method
Mix all ingredients listed before the wings themselves in a large bowl. Add the wings coating them well and then allow the wings to marinate for an hour.
After an hour preheat the oven to 425. Arrange the wings on a baking sheet fitted with a rack. This allows a steady air flow and a better textured wing. Bake for 35 minutes turning once half way through. At this point transfer the wings immediately to a large bowl with the pepitas ground blue tortilla chips. Toss well to coat and return the wings to the oven for five minutes. Take the wings from the oven and transfer to a warm serving plate. No sauce is required.