The Man’s Spicy Dragon Wings

No napkins necessary for this recipe. You will lick your fingers clean of all the deliciousness.

These wings are perfect for scarfing while watching your favorite team. (In our case, they have become our good luck snack when we need a “W” in a contentious SEC game.)

What are dragon wings, you may ask? They are The Man’s recipe for chicken wings coated with a fermented Korean red pepper paste called gochujang. And thanks to The Man, I am now an addict.

Yep. There is something about gochujang that makes me crave it.

Gochujang. I love to say it.

It’s a piquant red pepper paste that will set your face on fire. Well, maybe not on fire. But you will probably feel some tingling. Or numbness. But only temporarily.  

It’s a gradient of heat. A progression, of sorts. It happens in stages:

1. The wings look tantalizing, so you eat them.
2. As you eat, your mouth explodes with flavor, and you wonder if you regret your decision.
3. The heat subsides, for which you are glad, because you Can’t.Stop.Eating.Them.

Watching The Man in the kitchen is like watching a mad scientist in his laboratory. (Take a moment to close your eyes and envision the chopping and tossing and mixing that a recipe might entail, but now in a fury of passion with lightning bolts emanating from the sky and sound bytes…)  

I sipped my wine and quietly observed. This is what I saw:

He baked drumettes and flats on parchment paper.  He threw together some spices in a pan to create a sauce. Then he slathered the wings in his finger-licking concoction. With a flick of his supple wrist he slung on some sesame seeds and scallions (a must!) and served them to me on a pretty platter.  Yep, that’s The Man.

I cannot be certain that more paste = more heat, but try 1-1½ tablespoons first. Unless you are a beast. Then go all in. Become a shameless addict. Overindulge. You have my permission.

You will either love me because you are in Dragon Wing rehab with me, or you will be shaking your fist in the air because you are in Dragon Wing rehab with me. Either way, it sounds like a win-win.

:맛있게 먹어.

XXOO AB

If you do make The Man’s recipe, we’d love to hear your comments. Tag your photo #nakedepicurean so we can celebrate with you!

The Man’s Spicy Dragon Wings

Ingredients–ish

• • 2-3            lbs chicken wings, drumettes and/or flats–your choice

• • 3                cloves garlic, minced

• • 1-3             tablespoons Gochujang (Korean red chili pepper paste)

• • ½              teaspoon Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)

• • 2                tablespoons soy sauce

• • ½              tablespoon Apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar

• • 2                tablespoons sugar

• • 2                tablespoons water

• • 1                teaspoon sesame oil

•                   freshly ground S&P

                            white sesame seeds
                            chopped scallions

Directions

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 450°. Line a roasting pan with parchment paper. Spread the wings in a single layer on the parchment. Season with salt and pepper on both sides. Roast skin side up for 20 minutes. Flip and roast 20-25 minutes more until crisp.
   2. In a large frying pan, add all remaining ingredients (except sesame seeds and scallions). Heat on low heat, whisking to mix well. When it thickens, remove from heat.
   3. Toss the roasted wings in the sauce, coating well.
   4. Garnish with the sesame seeds and scallions. Serve while hot.