Barbecue chicken wings

Serves 4

Barbecue marinades are a personal thing and can be knocked together quite easily. Depending on your mood, taste or even guests, you can go oriental, Tex-Mex, or concoct your own combination of condiments and spices. Chicken wings are cheap and cheerful and go down well with anyone who doesn't mind getting sticky fingers - especially kids.

1kg chicken wings

For the marinade

100ml tomato ketchup
100g clear honey
50ml soy sauce
1tsp Chinese five spice
30g root ginger, peeled and chopped
6 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
2tbsp Worcestershire sauce
4tbsp hoi sin sauce
1tsp Tabasco
100ml water

Blend all the ingredients for the marinade and mix with the chicken wings. Put them in a non-corrosive container in the fridge, cover with cling film and leave overnight.

Pre-heat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas mark 4. Transfer the wings and marinade into an ovenproof dish and cook in the oven for 1 hour stirring every so often. If the marinade becomes dry and is in danger of burning, just remove the dish, add a little water, stir well and return to the oven.

Serve with a finger bowl of warm water with a slice of lemon in it to cope with the mess.