Magic Wings and homemade Ranch dipping sauce

My friend made these Nom Nom Paleo wings for a dinner some weeks ago, and I've been wanting to make them ever since. There was something decadent about them, and about the really delicious ranch sauce, maybe just because it is not something I usually make at home. Once in awhile I get the wings at Geek Love cafe as an easy dinner, because there is something so tasty about wings. But these are even better! I finally made them last night, along with a salad (because, homemade ranch!) and some sweet potato "fries" (aka sweet potato slices).

The tasty part about the wings is the special umami salt, what Michelle of Nom Nom Paleo calls Magic Mushroom Powder: it's dried porcini mushrooms mixed with salt and spices. It's really good. And of course the ranch with homemade mayo. Both of those recipes are listed below the one for wings.

Magic Wings, 4-5 servings
3 pounds chicken wings

1 1/2 tablespoons Magic Mushroom Powder (see below)
1 tablespoon olive oil 

 

1. Place the wings in a large bowl, and throw on the Magic Mushroom Powder. Toss the chicken with your hands to evenly distribute the seasoning. Cover and marinate the wings in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

2. A half-hour before serving, take the wings out of the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 425°F with the rack in the middle position.

3. Place a wire rack (if you have one) on top of an oiled, rimmed baking sheet, or just oil a rimmed baking pan. (I have to do both because my wire rack and pans are not big enough). Grease the rack with the melted fat before arranging the chicken wings in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the wings, or they won’t brown properly!

4. Place the tray in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Then,flip each wing and rotate the tray. Bake for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the skins are crisp, taut, and brown.

5. Plate and serve immediately with ranch dipping sauce! (recipe below)

 

Magic Mushroom Powder - makes about 1 1/3 cups
1 oz dried porcini mushrooms (I bought mine at Seward)
2/3 c sea salt
1 T red pepper flakes
4 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp freshly ground pepper

1) Grind the mushrooms - I did this in my coffee grinder, and had to do it in 2 batches. Be sure to let the mushroom powder settle right after grinding - don't remove the lid for a few minutes. Otherwise it plumes out in mushroom cloud. (Michelle warned of this, and I opened my grinder after only a minute and it was still pluming.)
2) While waiting, measure out all other ingredients into a bowl. Add mushroom powder, and mix thoroughly. Done!

Ranch dressing makes 1/2 c
1/4 c homemade mayo
1/4 c heavy cream or coconut milk
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp dried dill
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Stir everything together and eat!