GRILLING GOODIES

My longtime friend and drinking buddy, Jane Nolan, is here with her to-die-for chicken wing appetizer. This is so good I can make a meal of it and not have one ounce of guilt. The kitchen is all yours, Jane!

Chipotle Honey-Lime Chicken Wings

Chicken
5 pounds of wings. Use the first two sections and skip the tip.

Marinade
2 tsp. cumin
2 tbsp. smoked paprika
2 tsp. Kosher salt
2 tsp. sugar
4 limes, squeezed for the juice
¾ - 1 cup olive oil

Mix marinade ingredients together in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Add wings. Stir well. Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight.

Sauce
1 - 7 oz. can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, pureed
4 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
5 tbsp. honey
4 tbsp. butter, melted
Zest of 2 limes
½ - 1 tsp. salt

Mix sauce in a small pot. Simmer for a few minutes. You can make this ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use.

Cook wings over a medium-hot grill for 20-30 minutes. Brush with sauce the last 5-7 minutes.

Serve with one, or both, of these delicious dips.

Avocado Crema
1 avocado, pureed
1 cup plain Greek yogurt

Combine both ingredients in a small bowl. Stir well. Chill until ready to serve.

Blue Cheese Crema
¾ cup blue cheese crumbles
1 tsp. red onion, finely chopped
1 tsp. shallot, finely chopped
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
Salt & pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Stir well. Chill until ready to serve.

Now sit back and enjoy with a tall glass of fresh sangria! 

Easy and So Delicious

Jane Nolan is an incredible woman with a strength of character I've always admired. We've been friends for many years. The kind of friends who don't have to see each other often, but still click like not a second has passed when they do meet up. Another attribute of Jane's is her kitchen talent. Here is one of her latest creations that tastes marvelous and is healthy, too.

Cranberry Cake
3 eggs
2 cup sugar
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened (not margarine)
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
2½ cup cranberries (fresh, or if frozen, thaw slightly if you have time)
2/3 cup chopped pecans
whipped cream or topping for serving

Preheat oven to 350 °F.

Grease a 9x13 pan.

Beat eggs and sugar together for 5min.

Add butter and vanilla. Beat 2 more minutes.

Stir in the flour just until combined. (Very heavy batter)

Add cranberries and nuts. (I use the mixer for about a minute just to incorporate well. This also breaks a few of the berries apart & lends a nice touch to the finished product)

Spread into the pan. Bake for 50 – 60 minutes. (Usually done after 50 min.)

Serve with whipped cream or whipped topping.

I'll be back Monday. Until then...

Enjoy life to the fullest,

Sloane