Not sure if you heard about the trend a few years back to add butter to your coffee. To be honest, I haven't tried this out yet....but it is on the list when my arteries feel brave enough. That trend got me to thinking while on a recent trip to the grocery store. Butter is good. Coffee is good. What food can I make that would taste good with that combination?

In the kitchen my wife is like something off Food Network Iron Chef (my wife edited to say she is nowhere near a professional chef, but cooks like a person who loves good ingredients). She can make dishes that rival some of the best restaraunts. There two areas that are still my domain though. The grill and the deep fryer. I bought a deep fryer for one purpose....to make chicken wings. (Well, that and deep fried double stuffed Oreos.) When we make chicken wings we also like to make our own sauce. It is fairly simple to dump a lot of hot sauce, cayenne, and melted butter into the pan to make a great wing sauce.

On returning to the house I decided that we should try and make a wing sauce with coffee and butter. I prefer that all of my foods have depth of flavor and some kick but a good sauce should have a nice balance to sweet, spicy, and depth. I also had the criteria that the ingredients should be simple and found in most homes. I hope you enjoy our little creation!

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups brewed Mars Dark coffee
1 tsp red pepper flakes (medium heat...vary this according to your tolerance)
1/2 stick butter
1 1/2 tsp tomato paste
1 tsp soy sauce

Optional:
1/4 tsp peanut butter (sounds weird but oh so good!)

1. In a small sauce pan combine all of the ingredients and bring to a boil while stirring.
2. When at a rolling boil, reduce the heat to medium stirring occassionally.
3. Reduce by a little more than half and the sauce thickens and sticks to the back of a spoon.
4. Remove from heat.
5. Add to a small bowl and toss your cooked wings to coat.
6. Serve and enjoy!