Jan 26, 2012 >> It’s Hot Wings time!
We’re Home Cooking with Jean-Georges

This week in Found!, we wined and dined at the Pump Room for the launch of chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s cookbook. While air kissing a very notable crowd, we couldn’t help but casually flip through his book, Home Cooking with Jean-Georges. Our favorite find? A recipe for his Hot Wings. And nothing, no nothing!, does us in like a good plate of hot wings. Add Jean-Georges to the mix, and we tied on our apron, ready to serve up our favorite dish. We’re sharing it with you on The G&F Blog.

HOT WINGS BY JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN >> SERVES 2
2 TABLESPOONS SCOTCH BONNET HOT SAUCE OR YOUR FAVORITE HOT SAUCE SUBSTITUTE // 1 TABLESPOON UNSALTED BUTTER, @ ROOM TEMP // SALT & BLACK PEPPER // 6 WHOLE CHICKEN WINGS // 1 TABLESPOON CORNSTARCH // GRAPESEED OR NEUTRAL OIL // 1/2 JALAPENO (SLICED VERY THIN CROSSWISE)

Heat the sauce (which you can find a full recipe at Epicurious.com) until hot. Whisk in butter slowly. Whisk in salt to taste, then take the heat to low to keep the sauce warm. Meanwhile, in a galaxy far far away, sprinkle salt & pepper all over the chicken and let stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle cornstarch over the chicken and toss until it is evenly coated.

In a large skillet, fill 1/2 inches of oil. Heat until hot and simmering. Here’s a note we learned: when the oil is ready, a piece of bread dropped into the oil will turn golden in 15 seconds. Reduce the heat to medium and add the drumettes. Then the wings. Cook, turning the chicken with tongs, for a total of 4 to 5 minutes. The chicken will be golden brown on the outside and no longer pink inside after about 10 minutes or so. Don’t call us neglectful, but we like ours a little crispier, so we left in for a little bit longer.

Place chicken in a large bowl and add the hot sauce and jalapeño. Toss all together until everything is evenly coated. Serve right away—& make sure to provide your guests with a glass of milk and a napkin to whip the sweat off their brow.

BUY YOUR COPY OF HOME COOKING WITH JEAN-GEORGES AT AMAZON.COM