Indian Spice Rubbed Chicken and GIVEAWAY

June 13, 2011

Indian Spice Rubbed Chicken and GIVEAWAY

Happy Memories + Cravings = Indian Spice Rubbed Chicken

Why are we so taken by food? Why do we think about certain dishes and immediately salivate? How is it that the smell of popcorn or sugar cookies instantly flood our minds with memories and out hearts with emotion?

It’s because humans are extremely sensuous. …No, I’m not calling you sexy. Although, I don’t want to offend anyone–You might be extremely sexy. *wink*

Sensuous meaning “of the senses” or “gratified through the senses”. We drink in every experience, every sensation, through our five senses. They effect how we respond and what we remember. So it’s no wonder that certain foods are associated with our memories.

If food is involved in a moment that is memorable, it actually elevates our capacity and emotional tie to that memory.

When I smell smoked meat, my mind drifts to happy memories of my dad, who often smelled of smokey hickory chips. The taste of butter cookies instantly transports me to childhood days of baking cookies with my mom and sister. Seared duck breast, hot fudge sundaes with peanuts, and bread pudding all bring back sweet memories of my husband.

On the flip side, the stench of canned tuna brings back a memory that I’d rather not remember.

One smell and flavor that always brings happy memories and tears to my eyes is Indian spices. One whiff of cardamom or fenugreek and a flood of color, movement, lights, and sweltering heat wave over me.

Admittedly, this grilled chicken recipe is not a replica of a dish I ate during the summers I spent in India. It is more of a nod of respect and admiration to old friends, rickshaws, and cooking over open flames.

I developed this India chicken recipe for ease and bold flavor. It falls somewhere between a tandoori chicken recipe and a chicken tikka recipe, yet is dairy-free and has less ingredients to deal with. You don’t have to marinate the chicken in the spices before grilling, making this Indian chicken recipe a great mid-week meal.

Indian Spice Rubbed Chicken is an exciting alternative to plain-jane bbq chicken during grilling season. Serve it with standard picnic fare, or go all out with saffron rice and buttered naan. Either way, you won’t be sorry you strayed off the beaten path. This sensuous Indian chicken might cause some memory making of your own!

To Prepare Indian Spice Rubbed Chicken:

Preheat the grill to medium heat. Place the chicken in a large baking dish. In a separate bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients and mix well.

Rub the mixture over the chicken, coating completely.

Lovely Farmhouse Bake-ware from Villeroy & Boch.

Grill the chicken for approximately 40 minutes, turning once. You could use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Grill over medium heat for approximately 12 minutes.

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Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Indian Spice Rubbed Chicken

Ingredients:

3 ½ lbs. bone-in chicken
2 Tb. Garam Masala
1 lemon, zested and juice of half
2 Tb. chopped cilantro
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tb. freshly grated ginger
½ tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. salt
½ tsp. black pepper
¼ cup oil