Thai Grilled Chicken (gai Yahng)

Total Time: 3 hrs 15 mins Preparation Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 teaspoons whole peppercorns or 2 teaspoons black peppercorns
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaf, with stems
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped garlic
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup distilled vinegar
• 2 tablespoons finely minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon salt, if desired
• 1 tablespoon chili-garlic sauce (available in the asian section of your grocery-i like huy phong brand, a.k.a. rooster brand)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 lbs chicken pieces
• hot cooked long-grain rice or jasmine rice

Recipe

• 1 to make pesto, crush or grind the peppercorns with a mortar and pestle or in a spice or pepper grinder (empty grinder first, then pour in the measured peppercorns and grind until empty). combine pepper, cilantro, and garlic and work into a smooth paste with a mortar and pestle or in a food processor. add a little oil or water if needed to facilitate the grinding.
• 2 to make sauce, combine sugar, water, vinegar, garlic, and salt in a small, non-reactive saucepan. bring to a rolling boil over medium heat (beware of the fumes! it will taste much, much better than it smells at this stage--vinegar fumes will make your nose itch and eyes water!). stir to dissolve sugar and reduce heat to low. simmer until slightly reduced and thickened to a light syrup consistency, about 20 minutes. remove from heat and stir in chili-garlic sauce. cool to room temperature; if not using right away, transfer to a jar and seal tightly (can be stored at room temp for 2-3 days).
• 3 in a 1-gallon ziplock bag, combine 1/3 cup of the pesto (save remainder for another use), the soy sauce and the salt, if desired. add chicken pieces and shake until coated. cover and chill 1-2 hours, turning over now and then.
• 4 prepare a hot coal fire or preheat a gas grill. arrange chicken on grill and cook for about 45 minutes-1 hour (depending on size of pieces), turning now and then to cook evenly.
• 5 when chicken is done, transfer to a platter and serve with the sauce and some rice.