Name: Blueberry Moonshine Barbecue Wings
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT1H0M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H0M0.000S
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 10 medium-size chicken wings, split into drums and flats; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon granulated garlic; 1 teaspoon granulated onion; 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder; 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire powder; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; Canola oil, for frying; Mississippi Delta Blueberry Moonshine BBQ Sauce, recipe follows; 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter; 1 medium Vidalia onion, diced; 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups fresh blueberries; 1 cup ketchup; 1 cup apple cider vinegar; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup maple syrup; 1 tablespoon blueberry moonshine; 1 tablespoon straight bourbon

Directions

Special equipment:

a deep-fry thermometer; an instant-read thermometer

Use paper towels to remove any surface moisture from the wings (this is key to preventing rubbery skin). Place the wings in a large bowl.
Combine the salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, granulated onion, five-spice powder, herbes de Provence, Worcestershire powder, smoked paprika and red pepper flakes in a small bowl and stir to combine. Toss the wings with the olive oil until coated. Sprinkle the wings with the spice mixture and toss again until every bit of skin is coated in spice.
Prepare a grill for medium-high heat cooking. Grill the wings until they reach 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, 3 to 5 minutes per side.
Fill a heavy pot halfway with canola oil. Clip a deep-fry thermometer to the side and heat to 350 degrees F. Fry the drums and flats separately until they reach 185 degrees F; the flats will cook more quickly than the drums. Transfer the wings to a rack to drain briefly.
Place the wings in a large bowl and toss them with enough of the Mississippi Delta Blueberry Moonshine BBQ Sauce to coat the wings, 1/2 to 1 cup. Let them rest in the sauce until they reach 195 degrees F. Plate them stacked high, beautiful and bold.

Mississippi Delta Blueberry Moonshine BBQ Sauce

Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Continue to cook until the butter just begins to brown. Add the onion, chipotle chili powder, salt and pepper and cook until fragrant. Add the garlic last to avoid overcooking it. Add the blueberries, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar and maple syrup. Stir well and bring the mixture to a low, gentle simmer. Simmer to let the flavors marry and the blueberries burst, releasing their tannins and giving the sauce a deep color, 5 to 7 minutes.
Use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until it is velvety smooth. Stir in the blueberry moonshine and straight bourbon. Continue to simmer to mellow the bite of the alcohol, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. The sauce will thicken as it cools, becoming a glossy, vibrant glaze.