Faux Mission Chinese Chicken Wings
Having just dined at Mission Chinese for the first time, I immediately ordered the restaurant’s cookbook. I do not have it yet, but I found this recipe online, which is supposed to replicate Mission’s famous chicken wings with xxx spice.
3 lbs. split chicken wings
3 Tbsp. oil
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup whole dried red chiles
1 Tbsp. coconut aminos
Spice Mixture:
1 1/2 tsp Szechuan peppercorns
1 Tbsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. cardamom
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 star anise pod
2 tsp. fennel seeds
2 tsp. cayenne pepper
Garnish:
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup sliced scallions
A few lime wedges
Preheat oven to 400.
In spice grinder, coffee grinder, or small food processor, combine all of the spice mixture ingredients and grind into a powder.
Combine chicken wings with salt and pepper and two tablespoons oil. Toss to coat evenly.
Arrange chicken wings on two baking sheets (do not overcrowd) on top of wire racks. Bake in oven until golden brown and crisp, 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to large bowl.
Heat a skillet over medium high heat and add one tablespoon oil and dried chiles. Toss with the coconut aminos and sauté for about four minutes, or until slightly softened.
Pour chiles into bowl with wings. Now add two tablespoons spice mixture and toss to coat evenly. Taste and continue to add spice mixture until it reaches the amount of flavor and heat you desire. It is supposed to be spicy. (Recipe suggests using about three-quarters of the spice mixture.)
Garnish with cilantro, scallions, and lime wedges.
Allegedly Conti’s Horseradish Cheese Spread
Conti’s Restaurant in Doylestown, Pa., was considered the fanciest restaurant in town many years ago. It has been closed for quite a while, but everyone remembers its spicy cheese spread served before dinner. It was similar to Wispride, but with a horseradish bite to it.
Apparently, a few years ago, a former employee posted this recipe on Facebook. Some people were grateful, some people were mad. Here it is:
2 packages Cracker Barrel cheddar cheese, softened (I would also grate it beforehand)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 oz. horseradish
1/8 cup beer
Beat with hand mixer. Chill. Let come to room temperature before serving with crackers, breadsticks, and crudités.