I love Greek food, seasonings and flavors. They love using olive oil and lots of lemon juice. Of course it wouldn't be perfect without "garlic"! These wings are wonderful alone, but with the cucumber dipping sauce makes them FABULOUS! This is such an easy recipe. Make your marinade, place chicken wings in a plastic zip lock bag and let set overnight. Place the chicken wings on a cookie sheet with a drain rack inside the pan and back for 35-40 minutes at 400℉. To make this dinner extra special, add Saganaki to the menu with a nice Greek salad and you'll have a dinner that your family will ask for time and time again.
Saganaki - A Great Memory...
These Greek chicken wings reminded me of a great memory...Many years ago while visiting Chicago, we came upon a great Greek restaurant. At this restaurant I had the pleasure of trying a new Greek appetizer. OMG! This was the most wonderful appetizer. It's made with hard goat cheese ran under water then floured and placed in a heated heavy duty pan with some butter and a little olive oil to prevent smoking and then fried to a golden brown on both sides. They also poured a little brandy on the cheese while it was searing, and then lit the brandy on fire. Once the brandy burned off, they plated it and squeezed some lemon juice on top. This was so delicious that I asked for the recipe.
When I returned home I made it with a few variations. Instead of goat cheese I used a wedge of parmesan cheese. You can also use provolone. But I found that it was too soft and melted in the pan. The parmesan wedge worked the best. I also did not use the brandy because I thought for sure I would start my kitchen on fire...so I just skipped that step. Once browned, I plated the cheese and then squeezed the lemon juice on it. It tasted exactly the same as the restaurants even though I didn't use the brandy.
That trip and that restaurant left me with a great memory and a wonderful appetizer to make over and over again. You never know when you will come across a recipe that gives you memories, but this one did! Along with the Saganaki, these wings add another great appetizer recipe to your appetizer menu.
Saganaki Recipe...
Ingredients:
- 1/4 lb. cheese (Graviera, Kasseri, Monterey Jack, Provolone or hard parmesan
- 1 c. flour for dredging
- oil for frying
- 1/2 lemon
- Brandy (for flambe') Opt.
Directions:
- To prepare this saganaki recipe, slice a piece of cheese approximately 1/2"x4". Do not cut any thinner or the saganaki will melt into the pan.
- Place the cheese under runing water and then dredge into the flour, shaking off the excess flour. This will help the saganaki form a nice golden crust and to hold its shape when fried.
- In a small heavy-bottomed pan add some oil. As soon as the oil heats, add the cheese and fry for a few minutes on both sides, flipping the saganaki carefully with a spatula, until nicely colored.
- Prepare this delicious Greek cheese saganaki recipe and serve while still smoking hot. Squeeze the juice of a slice of lemon before serving.
Thank you to mygreekdish.com for this wonderful recipe...
Now let's make those great Greek Chicken Wings!
Greek Chicken Wings w/Cucumber Dipping Sauce
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 pounds frozen chicken wings, thawed
Cucumber Sauce:
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup chopped peeled cucumber
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons snipped fresh dill or 2 teaspoons dill weed
- 1 garlic clove, peeled
- Salt to taste
Directions:
- In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the lemon juice, oil, honey, oregano, garlic and salt.
- Add chicken wings; seal bag and toss to coat. Refrigerate overnight.
- In a blender, combine the sauce ingredients; cover and process until smooth.
- Transfer to a small bowl; cover and refrigerate until serving.
- Drain and discard marinade.
- Place wings on a rack in a greased 15"x10"x1" baking pan.
- Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 35-40
Such an easy and delicious recipe. Be sure to try the Saganaki too! It's delicious!
One Final Thought...
I hope you enjoyed this post on chicken wings and saganaki. Whether Greek, or Asian, or garlic parmesan or salt & vinegar..."Wings" are the best!
