Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings

Prep / Total  time : 50 minutes           makes 4 servings

Most of us think of Buffalo wings as bar food, but with their accompaniment of celery sticks and creamy blue-cheese dressing, they make a fine casual meal. These wings are hot, but if you like them incendiary, pass extra Tabasco sauce at the table.
4               pounds chicken wings
3               tablespoons cooking oil
4               cloves garlic, chopped
1-3/4         teaspoons salt
1-1/2         teaspoons cayenne
2/3            cup mayonnaise
1/3            cup sour cream
1/4            pound blue cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)
2               scallions including green tops, chopped
5               teaspoons vinegar
1/4            teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
1/4            cup ketchup
1               tablespoon Tabasco sauce
8               ribs celery, cut into sticks

1 .      Heat the oven to 425°.
2 .      In a large bowl, combine the wings, oil, garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt, and the cayenne. Arrange the wings in a single layer on two large baking sheets. Bake until just done, about 25 minutes.
3 .      Meanwhile, in a medium glass or stainless-steel bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, blue cheese, scallions, 1 teaspoon of the vinegar, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and the black pepper.
4.       In a large bowl, combine the ketchup, the remaining 4 teaspoons vinegar, and the Tabasco sauce. Add the wings and toss to coat. Serve the wings with the celery sticks and blue-cheese dressing alongside.

Serve  these wings with more finger food.
Corn on the cob would go nicely.
Roasted potato wedges are a good alternative and can be cooked alongside the wings.

Suggested Pairing :Beer is a no-brainer with the salt, spice, and heat of this barfly classic.
For a more festive alternative, serve a crisp sparkling wine; it will refresh the palate and tame the heat of the dish.