Bourbon Molasses Sauce Recipes

SMOKY RUBBED CHICKEN WINGS WITH HONEY, BOURBON, AND MOLASSES SAUCE

Steps:

• To make the sauce: Bring all of the ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, whisking often. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, whisking occasionally to discourage scorching, until lightly thickened and reduced by about one-quarter, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool. (The sauce can be covered and refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.)
• To make the rub: Whisk all of the ingredients together in a small bowl.
• Put the wingettes in a very large bowl and toss with the rub. Divide the wingettes among two 1-gallon self-sealing plastic bags, seal, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Position racks in the top third and center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line two 18-by-13-inch half-sheet pans with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
• Spread the wingettes out on the baking sheets, spacing them well apart. Roast the wingettes, turning the wings over and switching the positions of the baking sheets from top to bottom and front to back halfway through cooking, until the wings are crisp and cooked through, about 40 minutes. During the last 5 minutes, brush the wings with some of the sauce. Remove the wings from the oven.
• Position a broiler about 8 inches from the source of heat and preheat the broiler on high. In batches, broil the wings to caramelize the sauce in spots, about 3 minutes. Serve hot, with any leftover sauce passed on the side.

BOURBON MOLASSES SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring sugar and 2 tablespoons water to a boil in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then wash down any sugar crystals from side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water. Boil, without stirring, swirling pan occasionally so caramel colors evenly, until caramel is dark amber. Remove from heat and stir in remaining 1/4 cup water, then stir in bourbon, butter, molasses, and salt. Return to heat and simmer, stirring, to dissolve any hardened caramel if necessary.

BOURBON-MOLASSES CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS

Steps:

• Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; sauté until soft, about 6 minutes. Add next 5 ingredients, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and chili powder. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Stir in bourbon; cook until heated through, about 3 minutes. Season with salt. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• Mix 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in bowl. Loosen skin on drumsticks. Rub salt and pepper mixture under skin without tearing skin. Cover; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Grill drumsticks until skin is crisp and juices run clear, turning to cook all sides, about 25 minutes. Transfer 1/2 cup barbecue sauce to small bowl; reserve. Brush drumsticks with remaining sauce and cook until glaze forms, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer drumsticks to platter and serve with reserved sauce.

CORNED BEEF WITH BOURBON-MOLASSES GLAZE

Steps:

• Corning the beef (optional): Lay the brisket on a flat surface. Feel where the fat is thickest, and use a sharp knife to trim off about half of the fat. Discard the fat. Square the meat off by trimming the edges so it cures and cooks evenly. You should be left with a brisket that's about 4-5 pounds. (Note: This recipe calls for half of a whole brisket. Save the trimmed meat for another recipe, such as Edward Lee's Korean-Style Texas Chili.)
• Place the trimmed brisket into a non-reactive container. Pour in enough cold water to cover by one inch. Add paprika, brown sugar, bay leaves, allspice, peppercorns, granulated garlic, pickling spice, and Prague powder. Use your hand to stir the ingredients into the water, and gently move the brisket around in the liquid to help dissolve the sugar. Let the meat rest fat side up in the curing mixture. Cover container with the lid and refrigerate, 7-8 days.
• Corned beef: Pour broth into a stockpot; add cinnamon, mustard seed, peppercorns, and bay leaves. Pull the corned beef brisket out of the curing solution and rinse with cold water. (Note: Alternatively, start by rinsing pickling spices off a 4- to 5-lb. store-bought corned beef.) Place the corned beef into the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce to a simmer, and cook until spoon-tender, or to an internal temperature of 175 F, about 2-3 hours. (Alternatively, you can place the meat in a 275 degrees F oven for the same length of time.)
• Preheat broiler. Remove corned beef from cooking liquid, pat dry on a dish towel, and place on a rimmed baking sheet. If you're cooking the nose portion of the brisket, trim off the top for even glazing. Combine molasses, mustard powder, bourbon, and brown sugar in a bowl to make the glaze; stir until all of the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Pour ⅓ of the glaze on top of the corned beef, distributing evenly. Place the corned beef 6 inches under broiler for about 1 minute. Remove and pour on half the remaining glaze. Place under the broiler for 30-40 seconds. Remove and pour the rest of the glaze onto the corned beef and broil another 30-40 seconds.
• Assembly: Remove corned beef from oven and let rest on a cutting board while preparing the buns, about 10 minutes (reserving the drippings in the pan). In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat until it's foaming. Add 1-2 buns, cut side down, and cook until light brown and toasted, 30 seconds. Continue with remaining butter and buns until all are toasted. Meanwhile, make Thousand Island dressing: Combine mayonnaise, relish, and chili sauce in a bowl; season to taste with salt and stir. Slice corned beef at an angle, against the grain. Place on a serving platter and drizzle with reserved drippings from the pan. To make a sandwich, layer corned beef on griddled buns and top with a dollop of dressing.

BOURBON AND BROWN SUGAR BARBEQUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine ketchup, tomato sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, molasses, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, mustard powder, liquid smoke, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring often, until sauce is reduced and smooth, about 45 minutes.

BOURBON AND MOLASSES-GLAZED TURKEY BREAST

Steps:

• Stir whiskey, molasses, and brown sugar in a saucepan until brown sugar has dissolved. Place over medium heat, bring to a simmer, and turn off heat; stir salt and hot pepper sauce into mixture. Pour marinade into a large bowl.
• Place turkey breast into the marinade with skin side down; let stand for 1 hour, turning turkey breast over occasionally. Transfer turkey to a roasting pan. Retain marinade for basting.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Roast turkey breast in the preheated oven until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), about 45 minutes. Baste turkey occasionally with retained marinade. Allow turkey breast to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.