Recipe: Thai peanut chicken wings

Thai peanut chicken wingsTotal time: About 1 hour, plus marinating and cooling timesServings: 8 to 10MarinadeZest of 3 Key limes 1/2 cup Key lime juice 1/4 cup water1 small onion, chopped2 cloves garlic1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon grated ginger2 teaspoons chipotle powder1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce1 to 4 Thai or serrano chiles, or to taste2 pounds trimmed chicken wings, cut at the joint and wing tips removed (20 to 24 pieces)1. In a blender, combine the lime zest and juice, water, onion, garlic, vanilla, ginger, chipotle powder, soy sauce and serrano chile. Blend until well puréed.2. Place the trimmed wings in a large, sealable plastic bag. Pour over the marinade and eliminate as much air as possible before sealing the bag. Use your hands to massage the marinade through the bag over the wings. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, up to overnight.Peanut sauce and assembly1 cup creamy peanut butter, preferably Skippy 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar, sifted to remove any lumps, plus extra to taste2 tablespoons canola oil, more as needed to thin the sauce2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, more to taste1 tablespoon Key lime juice, more to taste 1/4 teaspoon salt, more to taste 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder, more to tasteMarinated wingsVegetable oil for frying1 to 2 teaspoons black sesame seedsChopped green onions, for garnish1. In a medium saucepan, combine the peanut butter, brown sugar, canola oil, sesame oil, Key lime juice, salt and chipotle powder. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the ingredients are combined and the sauce warms; be careful not to overheat or the sauce may burn. Taste the sauce and adjust as needed (with extra brown sugar, sesame oil, Key lime juice or salt). Remove from the heat and set aside in a warm place. This makes about 1 1/3 cups sauce.2. Remove the wings from the marinade, wiping off the excess marinade with paper towels to dry the wings.3. Fill a 4-quart pot with frying oil to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. Heat the oil to maintain a temperature of 350 degrees. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 375 degrees.4. Fry the wings, in batches, until the meat is firm and opaque, and the skin is crisp and a rich golden-brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the wings to a large rack on a baking sheet, spacing them at least 1 inch apart from each other. Continue until all the wings are fried.5. Brush each wing on one side with a light coating of sauce. Place the wings in the oven for about 3 minutes to bake the sauce onto the wings. Remove the wings from the oven and flip them over, brushing the other side with a light coating of sauce. Sprinkle over the sesame seeds and bake again for about 3 minutes.6. Remove from heat and allow to cool just slightly (enough so they can be handled). Meanwhile, thin the remaining sauce if desired with a little extra canola oil, then pour it into a small bowl and garnish with the chopped green onion.7. Remove the wings to a plate or platter and serve immediately, with extra sauce on the side.Each of 10 servings: 459 calories; 16 grams protein; 14 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 39 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 29 mg. cholesterol; 11 grams sugar; 238 mg. sodium.