"Louisiana Style Chicken Wings" *

Found a recipe for Louisiana Style Wings and modified it a bit by smoking the wings with Northwest apple wood just enough to create what should become the great Northwest Classic Louisiana Style Wings.   We wanted the meal to focus on the wings, so we use the bean pods, carrots and celery in their freshest, and crunchiest state so they, along the wings could be dipped in the Ranch Dressing.  A salad to round out the meal and served with Southern Style Sweet Tea. These babies were succulent, sweet and hot enough to leave a memory in your mouth for quite a while after they were gone.

Ingredients:

2 lbs large chicken wings
Spicy Italian Salad Dressing
Favorite chicken rub (Montreal Chicken Seasoning), or other
1/2 stick butter
1/2 C Louisiana style hot sauce (Frank's Red Hot Louisiana Sauce)
1/4 C Honey
2 C Blue Cheese
1 Garlic Clove

Preparation:

1.  With a sharp knife, cut the wings into three pieces through the joints.  Discard the wing tips, or save for chicken stock.  Spread something the rub will adhere to over the wings. I use Spicy Italian Salad dressing.  Add your favorite rub.  We have been using a no-salt rub found at Costco and it's great.

2.  Make the spicy honey-garlic sauce:  Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.  Add the garlic, and saute for 2 to 3 minutes until it softens (do not let it color).  Stir in the hot sauce and honey and cook for several minutes to blend the flavors  Keep warm.

3.  When ready to cook, start the Traeger grill on Smoke with the lid open until the fire is established (4 to 5 minutes).  Place the wings on the grill and smoke for 20 - 30 minutes.

4. Remove the wings, cover, and reset the temp to 375 degrees.

5. Replace the wings on the grill. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature is 175 - 180 degrees.  The chicken is safe at 165/170, but the higher temps produce a more pleasant consistency to the meat, or until the chicken is no longer pink at the bone.  Place the wings in a large bowl, pour the sauce over them then blend until the wings are covered with the sauce.

5.  Serve with the blue cheese or ranch dressing.

* Recipe adapted from www.traegergrills.com/recipes.