Peek Gai Tod Wings

Peek Gai Tod chicken wings are the ideal combination of sweet, salty, spicy, and crunchy.

This tasty snack originates from the Paadee restaurant in Portland. Although my version is slightly different you will find it difficult to put them down. The wings are marinated first in a pungent mixture of Sriracha, fish sauce, garlic, sugar, cilantro, and sliced red peppers ( I use seeded jalapeño) before being fried. I then reserve all the leftover marinade, cook it down and kick it up.

Every crunchy bite has a bit of sweet, salty, spicy, umami kick. But the real key to these wings is the crunch. They aren't heavy or soggy, despite being fried. They're light and crispy with the perfect amount of bite. The secret lies in the breading—instead of using traditional flour, Paadee coats their wings in tapioca flour before deep frying them, meaning that yes, these wings are gluten-free. They are only slightly heavier using traditional flour breading.

3 packs of wing drumettes (about 24)

1 cup Tapioca flour, if youre not concerned about gluten AP flour works fine.

Oil for frying (these can also be baked at 450 for 50-55 minutes turning twice)

Marinade

1/2 cup fish sauce

2 lg cloves garlic crushed and minced

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 bunch cilantro chopped (2 heaping tbsp if dried)

1 seeded and thinly sliced and chopped sliced jalapeño pepper

1 tbsp lime juice

1 tbsp sriracha

Finishing sauce

Reserved marinade (bring to a boil for 2 minutes before adding other)

2 tbsp sweet chili sauce

1 tbsp sriracha

1/2 tsp red curry paste

1 tbsp thick sweet BBQ sauce

2 tsp lime juice

1 tsp tony cachere

1 tsp cayenne papper

Mix the marinade and toss the drumettes liberally. I find a gallon zip lock bag works well. Cover in fridge at least a couple of hours. Turning a couple of times. Remove the wings, begin heating the oil while reserving the marinade. Toss the wings in the flour. When oil reaches 350 add the wings in small batches and cook 12-15 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Toss with the finishing sauce and serve immediately.

Urban Cowgill 2015