Tasty Tuesday…Grillin’ Up Some Goodness.
20 Apr
The birds are singing, the sun is shining, grilling season is here. So fire up your grill and make this awesome chicken with a kick. This recipe can also be found in the Weber’s Way To Grill cookbook.
Cedar-Planked Chicken Thighs with Soy-Ginger Glaze
What you will need:
1 untreated cedar plank, 12-15 inches long and 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick, soaked in beer or water for at least an hour.
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
10 skinless chicken thighs (with bone)
Directions:
1) In a small saucepan, over medium-low heat, combine soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. Cook until reduced by half, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and add the garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Cool slightly and then whisk in the oil. Reserve 1/2 cup of the glaze for basting the chicken.
2) Put thighs in a large bowl, pour in glaze, and toss to coat. Refrigerate until you are ready to grill. (The longer the better)
3) Prepare the grill for direct and indirect cooking over medium heat. Place the soaked plank over direct medium heat and close lid. After 5 to 10 minutes, when the plank begins to smoke and char, turn the plank over.
4) Remove the thighs from the bowl and discard glaze. Arrange thighs on the smoking plank and cook over direct medium heat, with the lid closed for 5 to 10 minutes. Then move the plank over indirect medium heat and continue cooking, with the lid closed as much as possible, until the juices run clear, about 35 to 40 minutes, basting occasionally with the reserved glaze during the last 10 to 15 minutes of grilling time. Remove from the grill and baste with the glaze once more before serving.
Until I found this recipe, I’d never used a cedar plank before. If you haven’t used one either, here’s how to soak it. Use a baking sheet big enough for it to sit flat, put the plank in and pour the beer or water over it. It’s wood, so it’s obviously going to float. Use something to weigh it down, I used cans of soup. You can find these planks at Lowe’s or Home Depot in the grill section.
This recipe seems like a lot of work, certainly more than I like to put it, but it’s so worth it in the end. Enjoy, and happy grilling!!
