Caribbean Pineapple Jerk Chicken Wings - for "the Project"

In my neighborhood back in Kansas, cooking among a few of the men is enjoyably competitive.  Some neighbors may measure the size of their backyard pools, our little Cul de Sac of heaven measures the quality if their smokers (although it is not the size, nor the cost, it is knowing how to use the equipment you do have... But I digress).


I'll be honest, I had surrendered the neighborhood chicken wing crown to my buddy couple doors down.  His wings are spectacular.  He puts lots of effort in them, and he is puffed up with pride when there is an occasion for him to bring his wings.  Always an empty pan when he brings them.


So, after a couple of feeble attempts, I just stopped trying.  I will stack my pulled pork against anyones, but chicken wings... I gave up.


Till now.  I am very excited to be going home before the Labor Day weekend.  I will be showing up with a pan of these bad boys and the Great chicken wing battle in the Cul de Sac will be on.


As all good chicken wings should have, these have a kick.  I was able to find a storefront that sells dried scotch bonnet peppers here.  These are like gold, VERY hot, and heaven as a seasoning.  A big bag of these bad boys will be one of my favorite souvenirs when I come home.  A quick internet search will find them mail order.  While the freshness will suffer, they will still be worth it.


But the real secret to these wings are the pineapple wash I do during the last 15 minutes cooking time.  The heat from the pepper, the sweetness of the pineapple, and you have a challenge to the crown.


I am very proud of the spice mix I make.  However, if you are less ambitious, in a pinch, the pre-mixed packages that are sold in all BBQ specialty outlets, and most large grocery store will work fine.  A Caribbean mixture, heavy on pepper will work.


I start with a fresh batch of my Jerk spice mix...

1/4 cups Sweet Paprika              
1 TBS Garlic Flakes
1 TBS Onion Flakes
1 TBS Dried Thyme Leaves
1 TBS Dired Oregano
1 TBS Black Pepper
2 TBS White Pepper
2 tsp (TEAspoons) Cayenne Pepper
1 tsp Ground Bay Leaves

 This is my Cajun spice mix.  For the wings, I added two additional spices to make a Jerk spice mix...

1 TBS Allspice

1/2 tsp (TEAspoon) ground Scotch Bonnet Pepper
(these are very hot, so a little does a big job... These are the only two ingredients that are not a part of my Cajun mix) 

 I add about 1/4 cup of flour so that the spice bakes into the wing and sticks better...

1/4 cup flour

And that is the secret recipe for my Jerk spice.


I prepare an egg dip with 2 eggs beaten and 1/4 cup of pineapple rum.


Here's my steps...

• Dry the wings between paper towels
• Dip each wing into the egg/rum mixture
• Dredge the wet wing through the Cajun/jerk spice mixture
• Line em up on a sheet of parchment paper (easy clean up) on a baking sheet
• Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes

After 50 minutes, I brushed on pineapple.  I took some pineapple slices and ran them through my mini chopper till liquid...

And just because, I added 1/4 cup Pineapple Rum.

Alright... We have them seasoned and mostly cooked, and now we have added the pineapple sweetness... Time to crisp em up.


I returned them to the oven for 20 minutes more, but set the temp to 425.  Drys the liquid in the pineapple, leaving the taste without the wet.  But it also crisps the chicken wings.  Not soggy from adding the liquid, still moist inside, but an extra texture level of the crispy.

They are baked, but with the "crisping" step, they have the illusion of grilled wings.

Here are some photo instructions to give you a better idea of the process...

Dried wings... Egg and pineapple mix

Egg and pineapple mix.... Jerk spice mix

Jerk spice mix... onto baking pan

Baking pan into 350 degree oven for 50 minutes

Brush on the Pineapple and bake in HOTTER 425 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Burn the top of your mouth because you know these are so good, you can't resist eating them right out of the oven without letting them cool for a few minutes...





And now... 


This will curl your toes (did mine).


I was snorkeling yesterday, fairly shallow, only about 5-10 feet.  Found a batch of rocks and was seeing what was on the other side...

On paper, it was only a nurse shark.  Shorter than me, only 3-4 feet long.


But when you are surprised, it is JAWS in the flesh.


But, fortunately, in the ocean, no one can see you pee your pants!


Now, go make some wings!