Caribbean Chicken Drumsticks

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This recipe is the Caribbean answer to Buffalo wings. Although it calls for the chicken to be grilled, the drumsticks can also be broiled, baked, or even deep-fried before being dipped in the sauce.

Ingredients

Sauce:

  • ½ cup chopped onion

  • 2 tablespoons minced ginger

  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 cup chicken broth

  • ½ cup catsup

  • 1 to 2 habanero chiles, stems and seeds removed, chopped

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 6 allspice berries

  • 5 juniper berries (optional)

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

  • 2 pounds chicken wings

Instructions

In a saucepan, saute the onion, ginger, and garlic in the oil until soft. Add the remaining sauce ingredients, bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer until the sauce is reduced and thickened. Remove the bay leaves and place the sauce in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.

 

To form the drumsticks, cut off the wing tips, remove the skin, and cut apart the two bones. Twist and remove the smaller bone. Cut the meat from one half the bone, keeping the meat in one piece. Turn the loosened meat over the attached meat for a mock drumstick.

Brush either the drumsticks or the grill lightly with vegetable oil to keep from sticking to the grill. Cook over a slow fire, turning frequently for 20 to 30 minutes.

To deep fry the drumsticks, heat the oil to 375°F and fry until golden, remove and drain. To bake, place some all-purpose flour in a paper bag, drop in the drumsticks and toss to coat. Shake off any excess flour, and place on a baking pan. Bake in a 350°F oven until done. If you don’’t want to mess with making the drumsticks, just use chicken wings.

 

Sizzling Spinach Tortillas Roll-Ups

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Spinach never tasted so good or so hot! This is a very versatile filling that can be used as a dip with chips or a sandwich spread on a hearty bread such as a dark rye. It’s important to tightly roll and refrigerate the rolls or they won’t stay rolled up after they are sliced.

Ingredients

  • 4 slices bacon

  • 1 8-ounce package cream cheese

  • 4 jalapeno chiles, stems and seeds removed, minced

  • 1 ½ cups cooked spinach, squeezed dry, finely chopped

  • 1 small onion, minced

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 2 to 4 tablespoons milk or light cream

  • 3 to 4 flour tortillas

Instructions

Cook the bacon in a skillet until crisp. Remove, drain on paper towel and crumble.

Allow the cream cheese to sit at room temperature to soften.

Combine all the ingredients, except the cream and tortillas, and mix well. Thin with the milk or cream to a spreadable consistency.

Spread the spinach mixture on each of the tortillas. Roll the tortilla in a jelly-roll fashion and tightly wrap in plastic wrap.

Place the tortillas in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours or overnight. Just before serving, unwrap the tortilla rolls and slice into 6 to 8 pieces.

 

Marinated Jalapeno Mushrooms

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This marinated appetizer will keep for a long time and is better if made up a day in advance to allow the flavors to be absorbed by the mushrooms. It should be transported in a cooler but is best served at room temperature.

Ingredients

  • 4 canned jalapeños, drained and chopped, liquid reserved

  • ½ lemon

  • 1 ½ pounds button mushrooms, sliced

  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 tablespoon reserved jalapeño liquid

  • 1 tablespoon distilled vinegar

  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne chile

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 ounces Roquefort or Bleu cheese, crumbled

  • 2 green onions, sliced including some of the green

  • Garnish: Chopped parsley

Instructions

Place the mushrooms in a bowl and squeeze the lemon over them to keep them from turning brown.

In another bowl, whisk the mustard, jalapeno liquid, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon water together until well mixed. Whisk in the oil in a thin stream to form an emulsion. Season the dressing with the cayenne, salt, and pepper. Stir in the jalapeños, cheese, and onions.

Pour the dressing over the mushrooms and toss well to coat. Allow the mushrooms to sit at room temperature for an hour to blend the flavors.

Seafood Stuffed Jalapenos

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These are quick and easy to prepare and can be made with roasted and peeled jalapeños or fresh out of the garden. Serve these chilled as an appetizer or even as a luncheon entree on a hot day.

Ingredients

  • 1 4 ½-ounce can crab meat

  • 1/4 cup salad shrimp, chopped

  • 1/3 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese

  • Mayonnaise

  • 8 to 10 fresh jalapeños, stems and seeds removed, split in half lengthwise

Instructions

In a bowl, combine the crab, shrimp, and cheese. Add enough of the mayonnaise to hold the mixture together and mix well. Fill each jalapeño with a mound of the mixture.

Serve immediately or chill well to serve later.

 

The Great Montezuma

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‘Dust with a pinch of cayenne powder and garnish with cinnamon. OR Dust with grated chocolate and garnish with dried red chiles’

Ingredients

hot chocolate mix, honey, vanilla extract, pepper vodka, heavy cream

Instructions

The Great Montezuma Hot Chocolate Drink

The Great Montezuma Hot Chocolate Drink

Photo by Steve Tesky

Richard Sterling developed this recipe, which is his version of how the Spaniards transformed Montezuma’s favorite beverage, with the addition of alcohol. He commented: “Salud! Drink to the Old World and the New.”

  • 12 ounces prepared hot chocolate (not too sweet)

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 2 jiggers pepper vodka

  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream

  • Cayenne powder and cinnamon sticks for garnish

  • Grated chocolate and dried red chiles for garnish (optional)

Combine the chocolate, honey, vanilla and vodka in a small pitcher. Pour into two long stemmed glasses or Irish coffee glasses. Float the cream on the tops of the two drinks. Dust with a pinch of Cayenne pepper and garnish with cinnamon sticks, or dust with grated chocolate and garnish with dried red chiles. Cut them lengthwise and fix them to the edges of the glasses.

Yield: 2 servings

Heat Scale: Mild