Nicknames are funny things.  They can be endearing or hurtful, an exalt or a stain.  They are a snapshot into how we are perceived by the outside world and categorised by our family and closest friends.  They are one of our first lessons in accepting the will of others, and are an external force that somehow manages to shape us from the inside out.

As a child I was known as “The Vulture.”

All because I was a seven year old with a brother-in-law who was a bit of dick, and I could eat A LOT of wings.  Like, I was insatiable.  I would stand over the box, hopping from one foot to the other, completely focused on  getting all the drumettes out first.  I could eat 30 wings in a sitting, stymied only by my inability to procure more wings.

Being called a vulture bothered me a little.  But it also set the expectation that a fuck-ton of wings had to be set aside for me.  So, it was a bittersweet victory of sorts.

As the years passed, I tried to distance myself from my bird-of-prey moniker.  My primary objective shifted from getting more wings to a mournful longing to grow breasts and french kiss a boy taller than me.

I really tried on the other two fronts, but now I’m back to a sure thing.  And I have the wonderful recipe for oven baked buffalo wings.  They’re simply the best.

Enjoy!

Buffalo Wings with Ranch Dip

*I know ranch dip is not the traditional choice, but this recipe makes a great dairy-free loption.  Feel free to toss in some chunks of blue cheese if you like.

Wings

• 1 Kilo/2 lbs  jointed chicken wings
• 4 TBS melted ghee, unsalted butter or coconut oil
• 1 tsp flaked sea salt
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup Frank’s Red Hot sauce or Choula
• 1 tsp white vinegar or apple cider vinegar

Ranch Dip

• 1/2 cup homemade mayonaise
• 2 TBS coconut milk
• 1 crushed garlic clove
• 1 TBS dried parsley
• 1/2 TBS dried chives
• 1/2 TBS dried dill
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

1. Heat the oven to 400f/205c.
2. Toss the wings with two tablespoons of the ghee, 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4tsp of cayenne.
3. Place the wings on a wire rack over a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet.  Bake for 35-45 minutes, flipping once.
4. Make the ranch dressing, by mixing all the dip ingredients.  Cover and refrigerate.
5. Make the wing sauce by combining the remaining two tablespoons ghee, hot sauce, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp cayenne and 1 tsp vinegar.
6. When the wings are done, toss with the wing sauce and serve with the ranch dip and some carrots and celery sticks.

http://youtu.be/aIrCFrFpHvw