Sweet & Spicy Chicken Drumsticks

[Edited June 13, 2024]

It is best when sweetness follows heat. In cooking and life, it seems like they go together. This recipe was developed after leaving an abusive relationship and living with a temporary restraining order protecting me from my former domestic partner. I was told by a City Attorney that even with photographs of finger marks on my cheeks and chin from him smothering me and bruises on my body from being restrained, he wouldn't serve a day in prison because it would be his first offense. 

I was asked what would be justice for me. I knew that a trial wouldn't bring me justice. Justice for me had nothing to do with him. I didn't care what would happen, good or bad, to him. I just wanted to move forward and live my life without having to look over my shoulder. 

A lot happened after I spoke with the City Attorney that December. The gaslighting. I froze with frustration and trauma. I thought I was prepared, but I just froze... Unable to defend. Years have passed and I felt that this needed to be edited, not the recipe but about how I felt at the time. 

You see... I was acting strong so I wouldn't completely fall apart. Now, I'm not acting. I find myself smiling at times knowing that I am free from him and all that happened. A realization, over and over again, that I am healthier, mentally and physically, now. That I am actually content. Don't get me wrong. I still have moments of anxiety and a rush of anger; however, I don't create happiness but live it these days. And that is sweetness after living through the inferno. 


Back when this Sweet & Spicy Chicken Drumsticks (shown above served with rice and sautéed broccoli and Brussels sprout) recipe was developed, it reminded me of the inferno I had lived and the sweetness I was struggling to gain. Although the road to where I am today had obstacles and trauma at times that took away the sweetness gained, it has made me appreciate the sweetness of life after the inferno. 

INGREDIENTS
eight chicken drumsticks with skin on
two heaping tablespoons of gochujang
three tablespoons of creamy lemon honey
two tablespoons of sesame oil
a half of a yellow onion, diced
two garlic cloves, diced

In a bowl, mix gochujang, creamy lemon honey, sesame oil, diced yellow onion, and diced garlic. Add chicken drumsticks, coat well with the sauce, cover, and refrigerate for at least one hour. 

Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Place marinated chicken drumsticks on a rack sheet over a baking sheet. Roast for 30 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave them in the oven for an additional 5 minutes before serving these delicious chicken drumsticks. 

Don't have creamy lemon honey? Just substitute it with [two tablespoons + one teaspoon] of honey + [two teaspoons] of lemon juice.

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