Ain't Nothing But A Chicken Wing...

This phrase cracks me up every time I am really not sure why but it does!  It has nothing to do with chicken wings which is a good thing because I don't even like chicken wings.  The only person around here who is the chicken wing eater is my husband.  He is always on the quest for the wing with the best flavor.  If you live anywhere around Manahawkin, New Jersey where we do, check out Doyle's Pour House for wings.  According to my husband, the self proclaimed wing man, they have the best wings around because they put them "back on the grill".  Which is in his mind is the best thing you can do to a chicken wing...fry it then grill it.  I do not see the thrill but like I said I don't like the wing...not grilled, definitely not fried..I am not interested.

Having said all that this recipe is not my creation it is my wing eaters recipe.  He decided he wanted wings his way.  They are healthier for you since they are not fried and the offer up a very different take on the traditional hot wing.  So gather up the ingredients and make some chicken wings for the big game tomorrow night...Go 49er's!

Ant's Wing Sauce

10-12 Frozen Chicken Wings
1 Zip Lock Bag
3 Tablespoons Honey BBQ Sauce
3 Tablespoons Honey
3 1/2 Tablespoons Franks Red Hot
1/2 Teaspoon Vegetable Oil
3 Teaspoons Jalapeno Pepper (minced)
3 Teaspoons Garlic (minced)

Whisk all of the ingredients in a bowl
Place wings in the Zip Lock Bag
Pour marinade over chicken wings
Marinate 3 hours or overnight in the refrigerator

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Remove wings from refrigerator and place on a sheet pan
Cook 40 minutes turning once
Remove from oven to cool
Serve hot with paper towels for cleaning hands

***If you like to dip your wings - double the marinade recipe and use half for marinating the chicken and the other half for dipping the cooked chicken.  Do not consume any marinate that has been used on raw chicken***

Chili Hog...

That's right Tony & Toni cooked up a big, big crock pot of chili and joined the 9th Annual Ocean County Harley Davidson Chili Cook-Off this weekend.

Tony gets an e-mail from Ocean County Harley Davidson, his second home, about a chili event they are hosting.   With out a flinch he says "we are going" and I concur.  Tony's only request is I make it with ground turkey. I will admit I do not absolutely love chili but I have an idea of the flavor I'm looking for.  So in normal Toni fashion I head to Shoprite, my second home, and I gather up some chili ingredients...poblano peppers, dried beans, onions, ground turkey, tomatoes, cheese, and 30 other items I picked up along the way for general purpose.

I come home flip on the Frank Sinatra (that is the best cooking music) and dive into my chili project.  I prepare the chili and cook and stir for about 2 hours.  The outcome a full bodied pot of chili. Tony got his turkey and I got the deep, rich flavor.  A perfect marriage.  We taste it and agree it's going to Harley Davidson on Saturday.

The guidelines said it chili has to be hot and in a crock pot at 11:30 a.m.  So 9:00 a.m. we warm the cauldron of chili low and slow, transfer to the crock pot and off we go to Lakewood, New Jersey.

We are welcomed and given number 17.  We plug into the outlet and set the crock pot on keep warm. The other chili hogs come in, set up, and we all stand around from 12:00 - 2:00.  Toni talks to others about chili while Tony talks to others about chili and hogs.  A great day.

It is $3.00 for a spoon and all you can eat Dixie cups of chili.  Tony buys a spoon and heads around the table tasting the other 23 different crock pots of chili.  His feedback...some good, not so good, mushy, spicy, contestant #19 really spicy, sweet, hot, vegetarian.  It is going to be close.  People taste and we receive some positive feedback from the crowd.

The tally comes in and....3 3rd place winners, spicy #19 wins 2nd place and a mother daughter combo take the win for a $100.00 Harley Davidson Gift Card.  All spicy chili's won the challenge...spicy equals memorable!  Better luck next year for the Moschello Chili Team.

Don't worry I heard there is Meatball Cook-Off in the fall!

Moschello Chili

2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil

2 Poblano Peppers (sliced)

1 Lg. Vidalia Onion (diced)

Salt/Pepper

2 Lbs. Ground Turkey

4 Cups of Strong Brewed Coffee

2 Teaspoons Ground Cumin

4 Small Shakes Cayenne Pepper

2 Lg. Cans Organic Diced Tomatoes

1 Can Tomato Paste

1/2 Cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce

1 Bag Red Kidney Beans (soaked, rinsed, picked over)

1 1/2 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

In a large dutch oven heat oil and add onion
Saute peppers and onion till soft about 5 minutes
Season with salt and pepper
Add the turkey and pour in coffee
Season with cumin and cayenne pepper
Stir to incorporate
Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Frank's Red Hot Sauce, and beans
Stir to incorporate
Reason with salt/pepper
Cover with the lid and cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally
Taste and re-season if necessary add cheese and stir
Enjoy!

***For a hotter more memorable chili add a habanero pepper along with the poblano pepper at the beginning of the recipe***