Tag: main course
Micronesian BBQ Chicken
Micronesian BBQ Chicken
Micronesia is a sub-region of about 2000 islands in Oceania; off the east coast of the Philippines; east of Polynesia. Some of these countries include Guam, Nauru, The Marshall Islands, and Palau. This type of barbecue is eaten all over these islands. The marinade is great on chicken, pork, and even seafood. To attain optimal flavor, I recommend marinating the protein overnight and grilling using hardwood charcoal. A gas grill will work too, but you’ll get a different flavor that is less traditional.
Equipment
- food processor
- gallon sized storage bag
- charcoal grill or gas
- chimney starter
- charcoal
- basting brush
- probe meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 4 whole chicken legs
Marinade
- 1 cup light soy sauce
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 2 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 8 garlic cloves
- 1 red chili
Instructions
- Add all of the marinade ingredients to a food processor and purée.
- Marinate the chicken legs in a gallon sized storage bag for 1 day.
- Take the chicken out of the marinade. Pour the marinade into a small pot and reduce for 10 minutes over medium heat. This will be used for basting the chicken.
- Place the chicken legs skin side up over the grey charcoals. Sear for 8-10 minutes.
- Flip over and sear the skin side for 8-10 minutes.
- Pull the chicken legs slightly away from the charcoal. Flip and baste the chicken with the marinade every 5 minutes for the next 25-30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees.
Kbab (Algerian Chicken with Chickpeas and Potatoes)
Kbab (Algerian Chicken with Chickpeas and Potatoes)
Kbab is a classic Arabic dish of chicken, chickpeas, and potatoes, simmered in a lemony egg mixture sauce. With this dish, you can either make your own fried potatoes or use thick cut steak fries. Once the chickpeas are tender, the potatoes are added to the sauce the last 2 minutes of simmering. Then the pan is placed under the broiler to brown the chicken.
Equipment
- broiler-safe stainless steel sauté pan
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup dried chickpeas soaked in water overnight
- 3 tbsp parsley chopped
- 3 whole chicken legs drumsticks and thighs separated
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups water plus more if needed
- 1 lb steak fries prepared according to package directions
Egg Mixture
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 ladle chicken sauce from the pan
- 1 tbsp parsley chopped
Instructions
- Melt the ghee into the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Sauté the onions, garlic, chickpeas, and parsley for 5 minutes.
- Season the chicken pieces with ginger, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Brown in the sauté pan for 15 minutes on all sides.
- Pour in 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to medium low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. If the chickpeas aren’t cooked through, add a 1/2 cup of water at a time and continue to simmer until tender.
- While the chicken is simmering, prepare the fries according to package directions. I like to bake mine to cut back on calories.
- Scoop out one ladle of the sauce from the pan. Best with an egg, lemon juice, and parsley. Set aside.
- Take out the chicken pieces from the sauté pan. Add in the fries and the egg mixture sauce. Simmer for 2 minutes, then turn off the heat.
- Add the chicken pieces back into the pan. Place under your oven’s broiler for 6-8 minutes until the top of the chicken pieces are crispy.
Oaxacan Lamb and Goat Barbacoa
Oaxacan Lamb and Goat Barbacoa
Authentic barbacoa comes from the Oaxacan region of Mexico. It is traditionally made out of lamb or goat, but in the U.S., you’ll see it made out of beef. The main flavor profile of this meat comes from the ancho chilies, smokey chipotle peppers, and oranges used in the marinade. The meat is slow roasted with the marinade until it falls off the bone. It can be used in tacos, burritos, tortas, enchiladas, and much more.
Equipment
- blender
Ingredients
- 2 lbs bone in lamb shoulder cut into large cubes
- 2 lbs bone in goat shoulder cut into large cubes
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large white onion thinly sliced
- 1 large orange thinly sliced
- bay leaves
Barbacoa Marinade
- 3 ancho chilies seeded
- 1 chipotle pepper with 2 tbsp of its juice
- 6 garlic cloves
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 orange juiced
- 2 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp Mexican oregano
- 1 tbsp dried epazote
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Heat up the oil in a large sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add in the lamb and goat. Season with salt. Brown on all sides for 12 minutes. Turn off the heat. Remove the meat from the pan.
- Layer the onions, orange slices, and bay leaves in the bottom of the pan.
- Place the meat back into the pan.
- Purée the barbacoa marinade ingredients in a blender.
- Pour the marinade over the meat. Cover and place in a preheated 325 degree oven for 4 hours.
- Take out of the oven and allow to cool.
- Pull the meat off the bones and chop. Stir in some of the sauce from the pan.
