I'm a luhya and as part of our culture, we eat chicken. A lot of chicken. Which of course means, I love chicken too. I never used to like bony pieces if chicken growing up. Actually, I preferred the white meat like chicken breast but as I grew older, I discovered a new love for wings ( I ashamedly admit that KFC converted me *sigh*). I think my love for white meat was also ruined by people constantly serving up dry chicken. Yuck! Honestly, eating dry chicken is like eating cotton wool or toilet paper (this is not based on actual consumption of the aforementioned items lol)
So back on the farm, my girls and I decided to meet up at my house for a bit of a natter and I made wings. They are easy as anything to make and I also had lots of wine which I was eager to drink as slushies (thats my new thing for the festive season). I was feeling energetic and made the wings 3 ways. Its actually really easy so don't get put off by the idea of doing them 3 ways. It's a fun twist to your usual one platter and you get to have a variety of flavours to suit most people....after all variety is the spice of life.
Serves 6
1 1/2 kilos chicken wings ( have the butcher cut off the wing tips and then split it into the winglet and drumlet.)
1/2 cup all purpose flour
Salt to taste
Canola Oil (or vegetable oil, or if you must, butter)
Juice and zest of 1/2 grapefruit
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/2 head of garlic, crushed
1/4 cup dried thyme and rosemary
NB: Best to have a non stick pan or wok for this
Place your flour and enough salt to season the chicken into a bowl and mix together. Next, take your cleaned and cut wings and add to the flour mix. Toss the wings in the flour then line them onto an oiled baking tray.(this will avoid the wings sticking to the tray)
Put them in the oven and bake at 180°C for about 10 minutes, or until the wings have a golden brown colour, then turn the wings over and bake for another 10 minutes till golden brown. Set them aside, and split into 3 portions.
In a wok or non stick pan, add about 3 tablespoons of canola oil and heat it up on a medium heat. For the first batch of chicken, pour in the grapefruit juice, zest and maple syrup. Let the mixture thicken and reduce slightly and then add one portion of wings and toss well in the mixture for about two minutes. Voila, one batch done.
If your pan or wok is non stick, super, all you need is a paper towel to wipe the residue off and continue with the second batch.
For the second batch, add the oil as before and heat up on medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add your soy sauce and honey and mix well. Let it reduce until it is slightly thick then add your second portion of wings. Toss the wings in the mixture and let them cook for about 2 minutes or until the mixture is sticky and completely coats the wings. Last, throw in the sesame seeds, toss the wings around and the second batch is done.
Wipe the pan again and set it back up on a medium heat and some oil for round three.
Add the minced garlic and herbs to the oil, with about 1 teaspoon of solid butter. Let the butter melt down and then add the chicken wings to the pan. Toss up those wings and let them cook for a couple of minutes before taking them off the heat and setting them aside ready for the chow down.
Thats it yo! Chicken wings done 3 ways in no time......