Food-Pairing Friday: Buffalo Wings

Honey-Sriracha Glazed Buffalo Wings by White on Rice Couple.With my husband on "Mancation" last weekend, I planned on doing girlie things: watching romantic comedies, getting a pedicure, taking baths. But when I remembered that the New England Patriots were playing in the AFC playoff game, all that went by the wayside, and instead I found myself glued to the TV on Sunday watching one very depressing football game. The loss was brutal, but it was made even worse by my game-day snacks, which were limited to leftovers of last week's healthy Catalan Chickpea Stew. Delicious to be sure, but not exactly what I crave when I'm watching football.

This weekend I'm ready. Armed with a recipe for Honey-Sriracha Glazed Buffalo Wings, posted by our friends Todd and Diane at White on Rice Couple. These homemade wings are mouth-on-fire spicy, slightly sweet, just a little bit tangy and satisfyingly crunchy. Of course, buffalo wings call for beer--something light and refreshing, but still well-made--so I'll be sure to have on hand a six-pack of Oskar Blues "Mama's Lil' Yella' Pils" Pilsner, which tastes like a proper German Pilsner and is proof that good beer can come in cans. 

If you decide to whip up a batch of these buffalo wings, and you or your crowd prefers wine, keep it simple with a liter-box of the 2009 Yellow + Blue Torrontes made by former Kermit Lynch staffer Matt Cain. This Argentine boxed wine is priced to party at just $9.99, and is wonderfully dry, with spicy Mirabelle plum, apricot and white flower notes complemented by a zippy, clean palate. Perfect for something spicy and proof once again that it's what's inside the packaging that counts.

Leah Greenstein