It's almost embarrassing that this dish was inspired by garlic, ginger soy marinated chicken wings at Japanese restaurant Kasadela. (For those of you keeping score, this is my second post inspired by a meal there. You should go...and I should go back!).
Embarrassing in the sense that I wanted to stick to the flavors I enjoyed at Kasadela. A moist, wet marinade that exploded with flavor in every bite. But there's something about me that just wants to take an idea and run with it rather than re-create it.
I have been on a recent ground cardamom kick, generally for the first time in my life. Powerful yet fragrant, used in relatively restrained proportions and with earthy flavors, it's truly a phenomenal spice. I immediately thought cocoa would be an excellent match for cardamom, as would the earthiness of cumin.
I wish I could give you proportions, but I had people over, we were drinking lots of wine and generally being rowdy. For the first time in a while, I had a camera. So I did what I had been doing every time I used to cook, take pictures for you (and my memory, I suppose). I guess I'm saying that proportion memory was not a priority.
I chose not to fry the wings, which was mainly because I didn't want to burn the rub, particularly the cocoa. I roasted them at 350 then 450 to finish. They were juicy, bursting with earthy flavors and generally delicious. In retrospect, I would have given them a brief fry to finish rather than turn the oven heat up, just for that extra crispiness. But otherwise, they were eaten relatively quickly by my rowdy friends. Always a good sign....




Glad you liked Kasadela!
Posted by: Laren | January 17, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Hi Joe,
(Insert food geek admiration here)
I'm writing a novel with two characters who are chefs and would like to reference the concepts of a couple of your recipes. Please e-mail me offline at kristin@kristinhardy.com so we can discuss. My deadline is Friday, 1/25.
thanks,
K
Posted by: Kristin Lewotsky | January 19, 2008 at 10:31 AM
OMG I wish I had those wings right now!
Posted by: Marsha Riti | April 08, 2009 at 04:59 PM
For the first time in a while, I had a camera.
Posted by: chi straightener | June 10, 2010 at 04:09 AM
thank you so much for an alternative to pork! lol! I really enjoyed this recipe and my wife is asking me to cook it again tomorrow! lol! I order alot of veggies from Celebrity Foods so this gives me a great complement to my awesome veggies i cook! Thank you so much for the recipe!
Posted by: gucci outlet | June 17, 2010 at 05:47 AM
I really love me some chicken wings. Those look super tasty :]
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