Rosemary: A fun pairing for weeknights

Rosemary is another one of my go-to herbs in winter. Rosemary is a member of the mint family and also contains limonene, which has an orange flavor.  It still looks beautiful this time of year and secretly flavors many dishes that even kids love.  I have included one of my favorite kid friendly recipes that was inspired by Giada de Laurentiis. I've put my own twist on this favorite and pairings to match.

Savory and Sticky Chicken Drumsticks

Ingredients

1/2 C balsamic vinegar
1/2 C agave syrup
1/2 C brown sugar, packed
1/2 C Braags Amino Acids
10 fresh rosemary sprigs
5 garlic cloves
10-12 Chicken drumsticks
2 T toasted sesame seeds
1/4 C chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

Instructions

Combine the balsamic vinegar, agave, brown sugar, Braags Amino Acids, rosemary sprigs, and garlic cloves in a large, plastic zip lock bag.

Shake and squeeze the contents of the bag to dissolve the agave and the brown sugar.

Add the chicken drumsticks to the bag and seal. Place in the refrigerator overnight.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Remove the chicken from the bag and place on baking sheet. Bake until carmelized, about 35 minutes.

Place the marinade in a saucepan. Bring the marinade to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook over low heat until thick, about 15 minutes. Drizzle the marinade over the chicken and place on a platter to serve. Top with sesame seeds and parsley.

This is a fun dish for all ages. I look for a wine with the same personality to accompany the flavors.  Some of my favorites are Italian Sangiovese, Rose of Cinsault, and American Grenache.