Living Lou's Chicken Wings

March brings to mind two things: Spring break and March Madness. Sadly, the first, and more exciting of the two is over, which means that March Madness has begun! The time when we all pretend we've been following College basketball and cheer on our "favourite" (or the best) team.

When I think about food to eat while watching sports chicken wings are the first thing that come to mind. They are probably one of the most loved foods to eat whilst watching a sporting event, whether it be the Superbowl, or say, the World Figure Skating Championships. In my opinion wings should always be on the table.

These are not your typical chicken wings, oh no, these are much better. And they're baked, not fried! The sweet and spicy, tangy and smoky flavors are unusual and perfect. Rubbed with a simple spice rub before cooking enhances the flavours, of the wings, and the Chipotle pepper is what gives them that smoky flare which takes them over the edge. The molasses in the sauce gives them that finger-licking factor, and the Dijon mustard lends a tangy bite. I promise you, these wings will be a new favourite.

Living Lou's Chicken Wings

Ingredients

3 lbs chicken wings

Spice Rub
1 tbsp chipotle chili pepper powder
1 tsp sweet paprika
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp dried mustard
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp brown sugar

Sauce
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup spicy mustard
1/4 cup molasses
3 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp chipotle hot sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder

Directions

Preheat oven to 375.

Combine ingredients for the sauce in a bowl and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes.

In a separate bowl, combine ingredients for the spice rub.

Place wings in a large bowl and cover with spice rub. Using tongs mix chicken wings and make sure all pieces are well coated.

Grease a baking sheet and bake spice rubbed chicken in the oven for 15-18 minutes. After the 12-15 minutes, turn the wings over and bake for another 15-18 minutes more.

Once cooking time is up, turn on the broiler and remove wings to another large bowl. Pour 1/2 cup of the sauce over the wings, use tongs to stir and coat the chicken.

Place back on the baking sheet and broil for 2 minutes on one side, then flip chicken over and broil for 1 minute on the other side.

Serve with remaining sauce and plenty of napkins!

- Lou

Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks

Honey garlic chicken drumsticks are in my opinion one of the best finger foods. Honestly, you just can't go wrong with honey and garlic, whether it's in wing or leg form. You also can't go wrong with finger foods... therefore this combination of honey and garlic in finger food form is bliss.

Do you want to know what else I love about finger food? It makes you stop, and eat. You can't multi-task while your hands are covered in sticky sauce, which means you have to stop whatever you're doing. It's a rather nice break from the final editing stages of a short film you're making... you know, if that's your thing.

What's your opinion on finger food? Do you, like me, love it? Or, are you one of two people in the world who's just "not crazy about it". If you answered "yes" to the latter, well thank you - more for me! If you just can't get over eating with your hands, well I invite you to come and sit down with me, let's enjoy some honey, garlic chicken drumsticks!

Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks
(makes 5)

Ingredients

1/4 cup Soy Sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp ground ginger
2 large cloves of garlic (crushed)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all of the ingredients together for the sauce.

Grease a cookie sheet with a little olive oil and place your 5 drumsticks on the sheet. Brush the marinade over the drumsticks and bake in the oven for 40 minutes. Brushing with marinade every 10 minutes until the chicken is done.

This may seem as though it's a little tedious, but really it isn't, and it's definitely worth it when you bite into your succulent, juicy drumsticks!

- Lou