Honey Soy Pepper Wings: When your expectations are violated

I think I must have been in the 3rd grade when I was invited to a particular birthday party.  At that party, the birthday girl (whose name I don't remember) received from Katie B. (whose name I DEFINITELY remember) a really fantastic gift; Katie's mother had sewn the birthday girl a beautiful dark brown patchwork bag (think 70's style) and filled it with....nail polish, eye shadow, lipstick and all sorts of fantastic makeup that you could not even imagine.  I remember so clearly staring at the present, lusting after it, desiring it, wanting it that I couldn't think of much else for months.  I was sure that Kaite would give me a very similar present, and I just could not wait for my birthday.

It was quite a few months before my birthday, but every night I'd go to bed imagining that brown bag and imagining all the makeup.  I imagined painting myself up so beautifully with it, having my nails perfectly red (my super tiny short nails because I played piano) and just how much fun I'd have with the bag.  I'd close my eyes and imagine how amazing it would be to receive that bag on my birthday.

When it was time to invite kids to my birthday, you betcha I invited Katie B.  I even wrote her invitation extra special.  I put inside, "You are my good friend" with a smiley face and a heart. Katie was the first person I handed my invitation to and I whispered in her ear, "I really hope you can come."  My heart soared with the thought of that one special present that Katie B was going to give me.

The day of the party arrived and I don't remember many details.  I know my mom cooked food, I know that we had an ice cream cake, and perhaps we even played some games.  I DO remember the moment of present opening with all my friends seated around me.  I opened them one by one, eagerly expecting the one from Katie B.  I chose boxes that would fit a handmade purse with makeup in it and each time it wasn't the gift was waiting for.  Time and again, I would grab a box, another girl (not Katie B) would say "That's from me" and I would reluctantly open it.  Finally I picked up an odd sized cube (not at all the shape one would expect a box holding a purse and a trove of makeup inside) and Katie B piped up and said, "That's from me."  I eagerly ripped it open to find a very strange toy - a ball that you tossed back and forth and these two suction cup handles that you tried to catch the ball on.  Katie looked at me with a smile on her face and said, "Do you like it?" and with my heart sinking, I quickly nodded yes, and whispered, "Thank you."

For some reason, the disappointment I felt that day is so clear in my memory.  Katie B, her face, her cute brown braids and the freckles sprinkled across her nose and the beautiful purse -I still remember.  The rest is all a blur and so hazy but those details, the gift she ended up giving me and the disappointment I felt are very real memories.  I think it may have been the first time I had worked myself up to expect something and then was extremely disappointed in what was given to me.

I don't think the experience left me with any scars or anything, but it did teach me something about expectations and when they are violated.  Sometimes to expect something that you can't control - ultimately leads to disappointment.  (like expecting your 3rd grade friend to read your mind and know that you want the exact same present she gave someone else.)  However, things that you expect of yourself, the most important expectations, are the ones that you can fulfill and exceed and that gives you joy.

There is the other kind of expectation when you make a dish, and you expect it to be one thing or you expect it to turn like something else, or you want it to look and taste like something and it doesn't.  That violation of expectation I think is really frustrating, especially after putting in hard work to accomplish something - and then to have it not come out.  I've been toying with a few wings recipes, especially since so many of my readers love them and I've had my expectations frustrated a few times.  But not these wings.  These are yummy.  These are good and the simplicity of ingredients and preparation is at odds with the end result.  I loved these and so did Daughters.

Honey Soy Pepper Wings
adapted from Big Small Plates by Cindy Pawlcyn

Serves 6 (or 4 if you have big eaters like mine)

1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons minced ginger
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
3 lbs wings (drummettes and wings are fine)
Sesame seeds and chopped scallions for garnish

Combine all the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Place wings in a flat plastic container or a seal-able plastic bag and pour marinade over wings, mixing up ensuring that all surfaces are coated with marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours, occasionally turning wings.

 

 

After marination, preheat oven to 375. In a shallow roasting pan, place a wire rack (like a cake cooling rack). Arrange wings in a single layer on the rack and cook for 15 minutes. Raise oven temperature to 450 and cook for an additional 12-18 minutes, until the skin is brown and crispy and the meal is tender. Sprinkle with garnishes and serve!

Printable recipe

I'm certain a plate of these won't violate your expectations.