Spicy Pesto Wings Recipe 455

Steps:

• For the peppered canola oil: Combine the canola oil, red chile flakes, garlic and lemon zest in a pot and cook over low heat for 40 to 50 minutes. Let cool completely, then strain.
• For the pesto: Combine the basil, cheese, pine nuts, garlic and lemon juice in a food processor and pulse until a paste is formed. While the machine is running, slowly drizzle in 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the peppered canola oil until the desired consistency is achieved. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the wings: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil.
• Season the wings with salt and pepper, drizzle with the olive oil and mix to combine. Arrange the wings on the prepared baking sheet and roast until the skin is golden brown and the wings are cooked through, 18 to 25 minutes depending on size. Remove the wings from the oven, toss with the pesto sauce, put them back in the oven and cook until just warmed through. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Make the peppered oil: Combine the canola oil, red pepper flakes, garlic and lemon zest in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat to infuse the oil, 40 to 50 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool 20 to 30 minutes, then strain the oil and set aside.
• Make the pesto: Combine the basil, pine nuts, parmesan, garlic and lemon juice in a food processor and pulse to make a paste. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the desired consistency is achieved. Season with salt and pepper.
• Make the wings: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the wings on a rimmed baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with about 1/4 cup of the peppered oil; toss. (You can cook them immediately or let them marinate in the refrigerator overnight.) Cook until browned and crispy, about 45 minutes.
• Transfer the wings to a platter, drizzle with the pesto and gently toss. Sprinkle with parmesan and drizzle with more peppered oil.

Steps:

• For the wings and dip: Pour about 3 inches of the vegetable oil into a large pot and heat it to 350 degrees F.
• While the oil is heating, make the dip. Stir together the sour cream, blue cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire, chipotle and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Thin with a little buttermilk if needed. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
• To make the batter, whisk together the flour with some salt, pepper and cayenne in a large bowl. Whisk in the 1 1/2 cups buttermilk to form a smooth but thin batter.
• Toss the chicken wings in the batter. Working in batches, fry 6 to 8 wing pieces at a time until golden brown and cooked through, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and keep warm.
• For the sauce: In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter, hot sauce, barbecue sauce, honey, pickled jalapeno juice and Worcestershire. Toss the hot wings in the sauce to coat them well. Serve with the creamy dip.

Steps:

• For the peppered canola oil: Combine the canola oil, red chile flakes, garlic and lemon zest in a pot and cook over low heat for 40 to 50 minutes. Let cool completely, then strain. For the pesto: Combine the basil, cheese, pine nuts, garlic and lemon juice in a food processor and pulse until a paste is formed. While the machine is running, slowly drizzle in 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the peppered canola oil until the desired consistency is achieved. Season with salt and pepper. For the wings: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil. Season the wings with salt and pepper, drizzle with the olive oil and mix to combine. Arrange the wings on the prepared baking sheet and roast until the skin is golden brown and the wings are cooked through, 18 to 25 minutes depending on size. Remove the wings from the oven, toss with the pesto sauce, put them back in the oven and cook until just warmed through. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and serve immediately. Cook's Note: After drizzling the raw wings with olive oil and seasoning them with salt and pepper, they can marinate overnight in the refrigerator if desired before cooking.