Spicy Chicken Wings

This week, Imelda finally left us. Imelda has been with me and my family since Maryam was born. We moved out of my in laws house when Maryam was a brand new baby at exactly one month old. Imelda helped me to set up my house. Rather, SHE set up my house. My home, our home.

I met Imelda for less than ten minutes before I decided that we were a right fit. She had a sweet demeanor and a gentle smile. It was overwhelming to move in to a new home with a new baby for a new mother. But she made the transition smooth and hassle free. You see, Imelda loves organising- a weak point for me. She decided exactly where each glass would be placed, each plate should be stacked, each spice jar should be stored. For the first few days, I actually felt like a stranger in my own home because I didn't know where things stayed!

Besides organisation, Imelda possessed many wonderful qualities. She had an endless amount of patience. For me- when I asked her to tilt my reflector just a little to the right, no left, no that's too much, that's too high. Ok, perfect. She was the perfect assistant for my photography. For Akber- Imelda, where's my file? I just kept it right here on the table. Oh. sorry- just realised I've left it in the car. She was his PA. And finally, for Maryam. She was Maryam's best friend. They would play lego for hours while I watched from behind my computer and she never grew bored. She taught her nursery rhymes that even I didn't know. Maryam called her Dama when she started talking and when we came back from holiday, she surprised her by pronouncing her name correctly. They were best buddies.

I miss Imelda, we all do. Not only because she kept our house spotless, but because I miss HER. Just having her pottering about the house, humming songs in the balcony, a friendly and familiar face to greet you when you come home. Imelda is getting married this week and I wish her all the best for her future. May it be bright and shiny and full of prosperity, health and happiness.

As you can imagine, life without Imelda has been hard to adjust to so we've been eating familiar meals that don't take much time to prepare and allow me to juggle a million things together (she managed everything with such poise and ease- I wonder how). I hope you don't mind but for a few weeks I'll be sharing our everyday meals with you. Like this spicy chicken wings recipe that I learnt during a cooking course last summer in Dar (I have slightly adapted it to suit our family's palate). I prepare the marinade earlier and all it needs is some time in the oven and an easy sauce to be ready. We ate this with a yummy salad that I will perhaps post later this week. Would you believe me if I said Maryam had some of this fiery chicken as well?

Spicy Chicken Wings

Ingredients:
500 gms chicken wings (skin on)
2 tsp garlic paste
1 tsp ginger paste
2 tbs vinegar
1 tbs chili sauce
1 tbs ketchup
1 tsp red chili powder
salt to taste
For the sauce:
1 tbs oil
2 green chilies, chopped finely
2 tbs tomato paste
salt to taste
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp paprika powder
2 tsp cayenne powder
2 tbs hot sauce
chopped coriander to garnish

Directions:
Marinade the wings in the ingredients listed for at least half an hour or more. Broil in the oven on high heat until cooked and just beginning to char.

In the meantime, prepare the sauce by heating the oil. Add to it the chopped green chilies and stir fry for 30 seconds. Add all the rest of the ingredients and stir fry for 2-4 minutes until cooked through. You can add up to 1/4 cup of water at this stage if you want a thinner sauce. Add the grilled chicken wings and toss to coat. Garnish with coriander.