BBQ Chicken Wings with Crab and Shrimp Mac & Cheese

Step 1: Prep and Season Wings

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss the chicken wings with olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

Step 2: Bake

1. Arrange the wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a wire rack for even cooking.
2. Bake for 45-50 minutes until crispy and golden.

Step 3: Sauce the Wings

1. In the last 10 minutes of baking, heat the BBQ sauce and honey in a saucepan until warm and slightly thinned.
2. Once the wings are done, toss them in the sauce until well coated.

Step 4: Broil (Optional)

1. For extra caramelization, broil the sauced wings for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.

Crab and Shrimp Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 oz crab meat, picked through for shells
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs for topping (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Cook Pasta

1. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Make Cheese Sauce

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to create a roux, cooking for 1-2 minutes.
2. Gradually add milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens.
3. Stir in the cheddar and Parmesan cheese until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.

Step 3: Add Seafood

1. Add the shrimp to the sauce and cook until they start to turn pink.
2. Gently fold in the crab meat and cooked pasta, mixing until everything is evenly coated with the cheese sauce.

Step 4: Bake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to a greased baking dish.
3. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top for a crispy finish.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.

Serving Suggestion:

Serve generous portions of the gooey, seafood mac and cheese alongside the sticky, smoky BBQ chicken wings. This pairing offers a delightful contrast of flavors and textures that are sure to please any crowd.

Visual Guide:

1. Wings Preparation: High-quality images showing the seasoned wings before and after baking, followed by them being tossed in BBQ sauce.
2. Mac & Cheese Steps: A series of photos illustrating the process of making the cheese sauce, adding in the seafood, and the final baked dish with a golden-brown topping.
3. Final Presentation: A beautifully arranged plate with a serving of mac and cheese alongside a portion of BBQ wings, garnished with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of paprika for color.

This BBQ Chicken Wings with Crab and Shrimp Mac & Cheese recipe combines classic comfort foods with a gourmet twist, making it the perfect meal to impress guests or treat yourself to a luxurious dining experience at home.