The Playoffs

As the end of football season nears, I realize just how thankful I am to see it go. Just a few more weeks and I will no longer be one of the many Sunday Widows. We succumb to the long, torturous weekend days where the husband doesn't leave the couch by choice unless of course, to get a beer or jump up and scream at the TV. Just a few more weeks ladies, and we're FREE...until next season.

Still, today is football Sunday. It is the playoffs too, so it's a special time for my husband and men in general. Because I love him and appear to have the whole day to myself to do whatever I want with my time, I'll make some grilled chicken wings with chipotle honey hot sauce, blue cheese and celery. This recipe is one of Bobby Flays and now a favorite in our house.


GRILLED CHICKEN WINGS WITH CHIPOTLE HONEY HOT SAUCE, BLUE CHEESE, AND CELERY

Ingredients
40 chicken wings
Vegetable oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Chipotle Hot Sauce, recipe follows
Blue Cheese Dip
LOTS of washed and cut celery sticks


Chipotle honey hot sauce:
1 cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 to 3 tablespoons chipotle pepper puree
(or chipotle chile powder)
2 tablespoons ancho chile powder
1/2 cup honey
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3/4 stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces
~ Serves 4-6 (8 to 10 wings per person) ~


Preparation


COOK THE CHICKEN

Heat grill to high. Toss wings in a few tablespoons of oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on the grill in single layers and grill until golden brown on both sides and just cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes per side.


MAKE THE CHIPOTLE HONEY HOT SAUCE AND COMBINE
Whisk together the vinegar, Dijon mustard, chipotle puree, honey, and oil in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Melt butter in a large skillet or a large pot on the grates of the grill. Add the hot sauce mixture and bring to a boil. Whisk in the ancho chile powder and season with salt, to taste. Add the wings and cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with Blue Cheese and LOTS of celery sticks.

Note: We only make the full recipe above when we have 4 or so people over. For two of us, I only make about a dozen wings, so just divide the recipe down if needed.