Culture, Dinner, Lunch

A Lazy Lady’s BBQ Chicken

Barbecue Yogurt and Sumac Chicken

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I had some Sumac spices in my cupboard and I was cracking my head as to what to cook for tomorrow’s dinner. So I decided to try to use up what was available in my cupboard and freezer. So this is a rather simple dish made with the

ingredients that I have in my fridge and cupboard.

I used skinless and boneless chicken thighs as it saves me time skinning and boning it. I used zero fat natural yogurt, keeping in line with my quest of cutting out unnecessary calories. I do not usually cook with yogurt. I started eating yogurt when I joined weight-watchers. So I now consume it regularly, usually for breakfast. In actual fact, I hardly cook with yogurt. So this is somewhat a surprise for me as well when this dish turns out delicious.

The yogurt kept the chicken moist and the sumac gave a tangy, citrusy flavour. I used a half a fresh lime for extra flavour but if you do not have it, you can just omit it.

And I confess…. I cheated. I did not really fire up a barbecue to cook it; I just grilled it in the oven grill!!

This dish is easy and simple to make.

 

Quick Info:

Serves:         6-8
Difficulty:   easy
Cost:            £
Time:          1 hr to marinade, 20 mins to cook
Smart points:

Per recipe: 25

 

Ingredients:

500g      Skinless and boneless chicken thighs
½           Lime- juiced, and rind finely grated
1 Tsp      Salt
1 Tbsp.   Sumac spice
2 Tbsp.  Fat free yogurt
2 Tsp.    Ginger paste/ puree
2 Tsp.    Garlic paste/puree

Calorie controlled oil spray

Method:

  1. Season the chicken thighs with all the ingredients.
  2. Leave to marinade for about an hour, or ideally, overnight if possible.
  3. Heat up the grill to medium.
  4. Arrange the chicken pieces on the grill rack and spray with a few spritzs of oil.
  5. Grill the chicken for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the chicken has some colour.
  6. Turn the chicken over and repeat the above 2 steps.
  7. Remove from the grill and slice it into bite pieces.
  8. Serve with rice or other accompaniment.

 

Note: 

A  few months ago, I bought some packs of Indian food. I had idli mixture, sambar (or sambal, as we call it in Malaysia) and some potatoes and lentil mix.

I served the chicken with these and it was delicious.

The chicken goes well with the Indian accompaniments.

Seasoned chicken thighs ready for the grill. The yogurt gives a natural 'covering' to keep the chicken moist.
Seasoned chicken thighs ready for the grill. The yogurt gives a natural ‘covering’ to keep the chicken moist.

 

When you slice the chicken, the juice flows out. yummy.
When you slice the chicken, the juice flows out. yummy.

 

All plate up. and ready to go!
All plate up. and ready to go!

 

The chicken served with Indian accompaniments. 'home made' idli made from a shop bought mix.
The chicken served with Indian accompaniments. ‘Home made’ idli made from a shop bought mix.

 

Easy chickpea curry from a pack. Delicious nevertheless.
Easy chickpea curry from a pack. Delicious nevertheless.

 

The ‘sambar’ or sambal as we would call it. Well, it is actually ‘parapu’ as we call it in Malaysia. It is a lentil mix and the instruction is that to add some vegetables. so I added loads of vegetables.

 

I find that when I buy spices, I don’t seem to consume them as quickly as I did when I was in Malaysia. Now that I am in the UK I find that I have so many new foods to try to so I cook spicy food less frequently.  Further, we are influenced by the local environment where we live. So we live and shop and eat like the locals.

With this experience, I shall now buy ready sachets for Indian food. This will reduce the amount of wastage. Of course I will still use my own recipes when I have the time.

Have you  had a similar experience cooking with spices?   Do share how you deal with this.

I hope you enjoy my recipe and feel free to share your recipes with me as well.     Please like and share if you enjoy this post.

Have a great day!!-made

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