MAPLE GLAZED DRUMS

Ingredients

• 1 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup salted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 12 chicken drumsticks
• 2 tsp canola oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. Preheat natural gas barbecue on medium heat for 10 - 15 minutes.
2. To prepare sauce, combine maple syrup, bacon, onion, lemon juice, butter, garlic and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
3. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced by half, about 10 – 12 minutes.
4. Whisk together water and cornstarch until blended. Gradually whisk into maple syrup mixture; set aside.
5. Brush chicken with oil. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.
6. Place chicken on a grill topper or directly on barbecue grid on natural gas barbecue.
7. Grill chicken over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until a meat thermometer registers 165ºF, about 15 – 17 minutes.
8. Reserve half of sauce to serve with chicken. Toss chicken with remaining sauce and grill until chicken is richly glazed, about 5 minutes. Serve with reserved sauce.