Chicken Wings with Ginger Caramel Dipping Sauce

Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for.

Until recently I felt like I needed something to fill a void I felt in my life.  I was a stay at home Mum who was becoming tired of all the "mundaneness" that being a stay at home Mum involves.  So I embarked upon some new avenues in life.  The first being this blog - even though it didn't get me out of the house - I felt like I was getting out and about in the world - meeting new people - although rarely if ever in person.  Still though, I felt I needed something else - and I started the Thermomix adventure.  Now, I feel that I have so much going on that I don't have time to do anything properly anymore.

It feels like a million years since I wrote my last post - don't worry I have been cooking away, and taking photos - but I just never seem to find the time to get around to writing the post.

I am here now to make amends for this error in my ways!!!

Recently I was sent some samples of Real Stock from the people at Campbell's - they have a new range  of stock pastes available - chicken, beef and vegetable.   I don't really think they are that new - they have just been repackaged and re-introduced to the market.  I actually used to buy these several years ago, and was disappointed when they were no longer available.  Along with the samples there was a lovely little recipe book - with some great recipes in it.  A couple of weeks ago I was tempted to make King Prawn and Chive Ravioli with Saffron Butter Sauce.

I must say I was very disappointed with the recipe.  Although the flavours were lovely - they were ruined, I felt, by the Saffron Butter Sauce - the basis of which was vinegar.  I felt the vinegar totally overpowered the flavours - if I made the dish again I would make it a purely creamy saffron sauce.

My next choice of recipes was Chicken Wings with Ginger Caramel Dipping Sauce.  "The Darlings" and Mr. CCC love chicken wings, so I felt that this would be a "Dinner Winner".  I was not let down with this recipe.  One component that I loved was the Caramel Dipping Sauce - again the basis of this sauce was vinegar (do Campbell's have a vinegar range as well??? Will look next time I am at the store!!).

I have of course modified this recipe - 1) to use the Thermomix to make the marinade even easier - and 2) to increase the servings.

Chicken Wings With Ginger Caramel Dipping Sauce
Adapted from For The Love of Real - Real Stock - Campbells Cookbook
Serves 4-6

2kg chicken drumettes

Marinade
4tsp Campbell's Real Chicken Stock Paste
4 cloves garlic
1/2 bunch coriander leaves
3cm pice of ginger, roughly sliced
240g ketchap manis
45g olive oil

Place the garlic, ginger, and coriander in the TM bowl.  Process for 3 seconds on speed 7.  Scrape down bowl and repeat if necessary.  Add the ketchap manis and olive oil and process for 3 seconds on speed 4.  Place the marinade ingredients in a large ziploc bag, along with the chicken drumettes and allow to marinate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

When ready to cook.  Preheat oven to 180 degrees.  Place drumettes in a large roasting pan and bake for 60 minutes, turning regularly to allow even browning.

Meanwhile make the Ginger Caramel Dipping Sauce.

Ginger Caramel Dipping Sauce

1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
2 star anise pods
200g brown sugar
2cm piece of ginger sliced thinly

Place all the ingredients in a small saucepan.  Mix to combine.  Bring mixture to the boil, then simmer for 6-10 minutes, or until the mixture is syrupy.

Serve the chicken wings with steamed rice, or fried rice, accompanied with the Dipping Sauce, and garnished with thinly sliced green onions (if desired).

These wings were a huge hit!!  Not a scrap left over - just what every cook likes to see.  The Ginger Caramel Sauce was also a lovely accompaniment to the wings.  This dish will definitely be made again.  A great dish to get ready in the morning and the just throw in the oven when you walk in the door in the evening!!  Also would make a great entertaining meal - finger food!!!

So Dear Readers have you ever wished for something, only to find that after you have "got" it, that perhaps that wasn't what you were looking for, and that you were actually doing ok in the first place??

I will try and find a little more time to get some more posts up here!!!