Chicken Tandori

Tonights dinner was super aromatic i must say. I love different spices especially middle eastern spices. The moment i put all the spices in my food processor, it smelled amazing; my mouth literally watered. Im going to do a blog on spices and herbs and what they pair well with and what their flavor components do to the foods you add them to. This was yet another recipe from the Food Network Magazine. The yield is for 4.

Ingredients:

• 8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 2 1/2 pounds)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Kosher salt
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 small red onion, roughly chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 2-inch piece ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
• 4 teaspoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 3/4 teaspoons hot paprika
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• Cooked rice, for serving (optional)

Preparation:

Preheat the broiler. Make shallow cuts in the chicken thighs with a sharp knife. Toss the chicken with the lemon juice and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl.

Pulse 2 tablespoons yogurt, the vegetable oil, onion, garlic, ginger, tomato paste, coriander, cumin, 11/2 teaspoons paprika and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor to make a paste. Toss the chicken in the mixture and let marinate 15 minutes.

Place the chicken on a foil-lined broiler pan. Broil, turning once, until slightly charred and a thermometer inserted into the center registers 165 degrees F, 5 to 6 minutes per side.

Meanwhile, combine the remaining 1/2 cup yogurt and 1/4 teaspoon paprika, the cilantro and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Top the chicken with the yogurt sauce and serve with rice, if desired.

This by far was my favorite dinner. I love how my family is really enjoying what ive been making. Bobby really liked the yogurt sauce, i loved the wet spice rub and my mom enjoyed all of it. Although, i cheated a little! The rice i made with the chicken was out of a box but i added a little cumin as it was cooking and it came out pretty good.

Id like to try this rub with a different type of meat. Maybe a shredded steak? Maybe.. Tomorrows lunch. Sandwiches with a little twist!

FYI: we still have a hunk of cheesecake! Trying to decide in what direction id like to go for dessert this week. We shall see..... Hasta mañana!