Recipe of the Week: History of BBQ and Grilled Thai Chicken

Welcome Summer! The next few weeks I'll be showing off some great grilling favorites for ROTW.

Do you know the history of barbecue? The etymology of the term is vague, but the most plausible theory states that the word "barbecue" is a derivative of the West Indian term "barbacoa," which denotes a method of slow-cooking meat over hot coals.

Bon Appetit magazine states that the word comes from an extinct tribe in Guyana who enjoyed "cheerfully spit-roasting captured enemies." The Oxford English Dictionary traces the word back to Haiti, and others claim (somewhat implausibly) that "barbecue" actually comes from the French phrase "barbe a queue", meaning "from head to tail."

The most convincing explanation is that the method of roasting meat over powdery coals was picked up from indigenous peoples in the colonial period, and that "barbacoa" became "barbecue" in the lexicon of early settlers (it's the pronunciation, y'all).

At any rate.....it's summer and it's BBQ season....let the grilling begin! This recipe is so quick and easy. We love the boneless skinless chicken thighs at Rebecca Lane, but you could use chicken breasts, legs or even wings. Call it a "chicken-a-rama". Be careful....this sauce will flare up. Watch your grill closely or flame-out city.

Enjoy!
Stacy

Grilled Thai Chicken

Ingredients:

1/3 cup chopped basil
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 chopped green onions (white and green parts)
1 teaspoon Sambal Oelek chili paste
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce (I prefer reduced sodium)
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
12 boneless skinless chicken thighs

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients (except chicken) in a large plastic bowl (I use a Ziploc bag). Throw in the chicken and marinate at least 3 hours - I prefer over-night.

2. Preheat grill (or fire up the coals). Cook the thighs low and slow (away from direct heat) about 12-15 minutes - turning once.

Image courtesy of Google Images
BBQ Research - Google and Wikipedia