veehive

When I started seeing these little houses for books pop up around various places in our neighborhood a year ago I thought, ‘Wow, we are so cool!” And, come on, we are. For many reasons, the free little library was only one. But beyond that, I never gave them much more thought. Until I walked by one today. I know how it works: take a book, read it, return it to the same ‘library’ or another one in the neighborhood, donate a book…but I wanted to know who made the houses…they all had the same little title plaque but were all different. So I hopped online and discovered this little library system was greater than our Seattle neighborhood. It was a world-wide volunteer program where people share books with others in their community. And the houses? You can buy one from the Free Little Library not-for-profit organization (eeks…they’re a little spendy but it you can’t build even a house of cards like me, probably the way to go) or make your own and buy a plaque. And if you want to check out how widespread this idea has grown, just click on their map! With more knowledge, I love this idea even more. And will be leaving the gift of Racing in the Rain once finished and will borrow something. Just thankful someone else is currently reading the dictionary that was there last week. 

My closest friends know that I have two guilty pleasures. I’m not sure what’s more comical – the fact I only have two, or what those two things are. The first one is Judge Judy. There, I said it. I mean really…who doesn’t love The Judy? She’s a spitfire, funny and can tear you a new one in front of millions a people and get paid millions for doing it. Did you know she is one of the highest paid television personalities, annually? Yeah. Totally serious here. Look it up. It will floor you. How much do I love The Judy? Let’s put it this way. I will come home from whatever I’m doing to watch her. And I get really cranky during the NCAA basketball finals because the games preempt the show. Really. Cranky. My other guilty pleasure is chicken wings. I could eat them everyday, in huge quantities. But they can’t be just any old chicken wing. They have to have the right meat to sauce to heat to crispiness ratio. This is where a lot of restaurants get it wrong. If you serve me a wing that is not cooked throughout, has little to no sauce, has too much sauce, is not crispy on the outside, you are pretty much dead to me. I mean it. Wet, overly juicy wings are gross.

While I am still on the hunt for the best wings in Seattle, so far, and somewhat sadly, the only place where they seem to get it right is Whole Foods. Which is somewhat sad for a couple of reasons. On is that they’re seasonal. If it ain’t football season, they ain’t got ’em. You’ve been warned. And two, why can’t any restaurant in Seattle give me a perfect crispy chicken wing? Am I the minority? Am I the only one that likes them crispy on the outside? It just can’t be.

So to get me through the non football season and when only crispy will do, I make these. Baked chicken wings that are crispy and so freaking yummy and so easy to make.

Baked Crispy Chicken Wings
makes about 40

2 lbs. chicken wings – drummettes and wingettes (or flats) separated, wingtips removed (freeze the tips and use them for stock)
2 tbsp. canola oil
Kosher salt
freshly cracked black pepper
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
1/4 tsp cayenne powder
1/4 tsp. freshly cracked pepper
1/2 cup Frank’s Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
Kosher salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line four baking sheets with foil and place a cookie cooling rack on each (or work in batches for however many sheet/racks you have or your oven will hold.) Rinse the chicken wing pieces with water and pat dry with paper towel. Put chicken in a large bowl and add the oil. Toss to coat. Add salt and pepper – your preferred amount – and toss. Place wings on top of the racks making sure to spread them out well so they can evenly bake. Bake in oven for 45 minutes.

While the wings are baking, combine the butter, cayenne pepper and cracked black pepper into a mall saucepan. Heat over medium until the butter is completely melted. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 3 minutes. Add the Frank’s sauce and cook for 2 minutes still on a slow simmer. Add salt to taste. Remove from heat and cover until the wings are done baking.

When wings are done, remove from the oven and put into a large bowl. Pour the sauce over them – however much or a little as you prefer – and toss until the wings are thoroughly coated. Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Ooh baby…I could write a couple of paragraphs about my fascination with football this past season. How I had the third best win-loss record in my fantasy football league. How I learned much more about the game, the importance of running backs and the secondary line. How professional football differs from college. About the super cool convo I had with Steve Raible, who likes to call me Vicky – which will make my friend SuLee happy – about the Hawks. And how stoked I am for the Super Bowl. But I won’t. What I will do is tell you that the game is going to be AWESOME! And I will give you this cocktail for all of you who are making nachos, chili, or anything else spicy this Sunday. It’s a refreshing drink, super easy to make, can be made in bulk in advance if you so wish and has a tiny little kick that will go well with all your other hot hot hot nosh.

Go Hawks!!

Guava Jalapeño Kicker
makes 1

2 oz. quality tequila
2 oz. guava juice
ginger beer {my favorite is Bundaberg}
3 thin slices of jalapeño, seeded

Pour the tequila and guava juice into a rocks glass. Add some a couple of ice cubes and fill remainder of glass with ginger beer. Add jalapeños and stir. If you would like the drink a little sweeter increase the guava and reduce the ginger beer. Enjoy!