Wings of the Tropics

I'd been planning to make this for some time now when National Chicken Wing Day popped up
out of the blue. Perfect timing.

Hibiscus flowers and jasmine green tea were steeped in heated coconut juice. This mixture
was strained and then powdered coconut milk and granulated chicken broth were added.

The second batch of wings were marinated in a blend of guava nectar, passion fruit juice and
granulated chicken broth.

The wings were placed in vacuum sealed bags to marinate overnight. After drying, the hibiscus
marinaded wings were seasoned with Dizzy Pig IPA and the guava passion fruit wings with Dizzy Pig Pineapple Head.

The wings were smoked at 350F with apple, cherry and maple wood chunks.

Quick shot of the wings midway through the cook.

The guava passion fruit wings received a good glazing of King's Hawaiian Original BBQ sauce.

The wings were served with coconut ginger jasmine rice.

The wings were delicious.  What I found most enjoyable was that none of the flavors overpowered one another, so all the various marinade components were easily discernible.

Paradise bread pudding and a coconut guava passion fruit gelato was made for dessert.  The base for the gelato consisted of coconut milk, powdered coconut milk, evaporated milk, heavy cream and four egg yolks.

Once this was cooked, a syrupy guava and passion fruit juice reduction was added.

The gelato mix was refrigerated overnight and churned the next morning.

For the bread pudding, a similar approach was taken by creating a creme anglaise base using
coconut milk, evaporated milk, heavy cream and 4 whole eggs. This was seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice and split between two batches of diced up King's Hawaiian breads: Strawberry Guava Hawaiian Swirl and Coconut Macadamia Nut.

The soaked bread batches were layered into a buttered 8x8 pan and cooked on the BGE at
350F for 55 minutes.

A coconut syrup was made using a mix from King's Hawaiian, substituting coconut juice in
lieu of water.

Time for dessert.

Coconutty, fruity and just plain delicious.