SANDRA'S HOMEMADE SWEET THAI CHILI SAUCE

A delightful sweet chili sauce I created today in under 20 minutes,
and at the rate we go through this decadent condiment ~
it's bound to be quite the '$$ saver' as well...

Yield: 1 cup

Prep: 5 Mins.

Cook: Appx. 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/4 cup water

3 tablespoons fish sauce

2 tablespoons quality white wine

3 teaspoons garlic granules (or powder)

1/2 to 1 tablespoon dried red chili flakes (1/2 TB mild, or 3/4 TB spicy, or 1 TB hot)

--1-1/2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 4 tablespoons cool water

--2 drops red all-natural organic food coloring

METHOD

Place all ingredients (except cornstarch-water slurry mixture, and food coloring) in a small, heavy-bottom saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to medium and let boil for 10 minutes to reduced sauce by half. (The vinegar odor will be quite pungent as it burns off.)

In a small bowl, combine 4 TB water with 1-1/2 TB cornstarch to form a slurry.

Reduce heat to low and add cornstarch-water slurry mixture, and the red food coloring. Stir to incorporate, then continue stirring until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.

Remove saucepan from heat and carefully taste-test (I do so by spooning some sauce on a plate to let cool slightly). You should first taste sweet, followed by sour, then spicy and salty hints. If sauce isn't sweet enough, add a little more sugar. If not spicy enough, add more chili flakes.

Pour finished sauce into a 1/2-pint Mason jar, cover, and store in refrigerator (will last up to 6 months).  Serve as a condiment, dip, or marinade. ~ Enjoy!

SANDRA’S GRILLED ASIAN PORK SIRLOIN TIP ROAST

A perfect roast delicious as is,
including wonderful for pulled pork burgers
or sliced and dipped in hot mustard as an appetizer...

Prep: 10 Mins.
Marinate: 3 Hrs.
Grill: Appx. 1 Hr.-15 Mins.
--(Or, until internal temp. reaches 160 degrees)
Servings: (6 to 8)

INGREDIENTS:

2 pork sirloin tip roasts, about 2.5 lbs. ea. (4 to a package at Costco)

***Marinade:

2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (found in the Asian aisle of the market; an Asian BBQ-type sauce)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon hot chili garlic sauce (found in the Asian aisle of the market)
1 inch fresh ginger root, grated
2 teaspoons fresh orange zest
1/2 tablespoon low-sodium tamari (soy sauce)
2 tablespoons ketchup
1-1/2 teaspoons organic curry powder

METHOD:

In a non-reactive 13x9x2” glass-baking dish, whisk all the marinade ingredients. Add the roasts to the baking dish, and turn and rub to evenly coat. Cover, and refrigerate for 2.5 hours, and remove from refrigerator to counter to come to room temperature for 30 more minutes, while preparing charcoal in grill (ample amount of charcoal placed on one ½ side, as in-direct grilling will be on other side with no charcoal).

Remove roasts from marinade; wiping off most of it, then toss marinade.  Grill marinated roasts over in-direct heat (no coals side of grate) at 350 degrees, with grilling lid on, until center is barely pink and registers 160 degrees internally (as roast temperature will continue to rise while resting), about 35 to 40 minutes per side.  Remove sirloin tip roasts from grill, and let rest for 5 minutes under a tent of foil for juices to redistribute, then carve into 1/8” thick slices against the grain. – Enjoy!

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Tip:  Non-reactive bakeware is not metal or plastic, and instead it typically consists of glass, glazed ceramic, or stainless steel so as not to react with acidic ingredients found in most marinades.

SANDRA'S GRILLED COLA CHICKEN THIGHS with GRILLED CORN and COLESLAW

A superb barbecue option
that you'll be making quite often,
as it is a great "All-American" meal after all...

Servings: (6 = 2 pieces each)
Prep: 5 mins. |
Marinate: 4 hrs. |
Stand: 30 mins. |
Grill: 20 to 25 mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

1-1/2 cups of your favorite barbecue sauce (I prefer Bull's Eye-Original)
2 tablespoons minced dried onion
1 (12 oz. can) Coke-a-Cola
12 bone-in skinless chicken thighs (I generally remove the skin myself)

METHOD

Add the barbecue sauce, minced onion, and coke-a-cola to a large ziploc bag, and mix to combine. Add chicken thighs to the ziploc bag make sure all chicken pieces are evenly coated with sauce. Seal bag and place in refrigerator for 4 hours to marinate, while turning over occasionally. Take out of refrigerator and let chicken return to room temperature for 30 minutes prior to grilling.

Meanwhile, preheat grill during so you have charcoal off to one side, as you’ll be cooking chicken over indirect heat (where no charcoal is below it). Before placing chicken thighs on grill, oil rack with an oil-soaked folded paper towel using tongs.

Grill the chicken, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes (longer if using chicken breasts, as they are thicker), while turning and basting with sauce after 10 minutes, and then continue grilling, just until juices run clear when centers of the thickest pieces are cut next to the bone (they should read 170 degrees when done).  Toss marinade.  Remove grilled chicken to serving platter and tent for 5 minutes before serving. - Enjoy!


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Tip:  I like to serve this meal with my other recipes of  Cajun Grilled Corn and Sandra's Coleslaw as shown in the photograph above.

SANDRA'S OUTDOOR BLACKENED-SEASONED GRILLED CHICKEN

The blackened-seasoned chicken
is a wonderful way to assure
that your poultry is flavored
and grilled to moist perfection...

Servings: (4)
Prep: 15 mins. |
Grill: 20 to 30 mins.,
depending on size of chicken breasts

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS
4 chicken breasts, 6 to 8 ozs. ea. with skin and bones removed (see tips for other options)
2 lemons, cut into wedges
3/4 lb. butter, melted
Cooking spray

***Blackened Seasoning
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon kosher salt

METHOD

Preheat your BBQ grill to medium-high heat, (we use a charcoal).

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan melt the butter, and set aside.

In a shallow dish, thoroughly mix the blackening spices.

Place a medium-size cast iron skillet on the grill to heat it so it is very hot; cover grill.

Meanwhile, dip the chicken breasts into the melted butter, and generously press the chicken breasts into the blackening seasoning on each side. Be sure to press the spices into the chicken so most adheres during searing process. Spray both sides of chicken breasts with oil.

Place the chicken breasts on the hot skillet, and grill for 10 to 15 minutes (depending upon their size), and then turn the breasts over and grill for 10 to 15 minutes longer on the other side (internal temperature should read 165 to 170 degrees). Remove chicken to a plate, and tent for 5 minutes for juices to redistribute.  Serve immediately with lemon wedges. - Enjoy!

I like to serve blackened chicken over caesar salad as an entree:
-- (see recipe by clicking here: Caesar Salad with Fresh Croutons)


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Tips:


--Grill time/temperatures for alternatives are: Fresh Salmon and Halibut (same as recipe above, except cook for 4 minutes on first side, and 3 to 4 minutes on other side = internal temperature should read 145 degrees; and Fresh Tuna steaks for 3 minutes per side (as they should be served medium rare).


--Also, I prefer to cook “blackened” recipes outdoors because you have to cook the fish/poultry at such a high heat that it tends to set off indoor smoke alarms even with good internal ventilation.

SANDRA'S TUTORIAL ON HOW TO SECTION A LIVE CRAB (for sautéing, roasting, or grilling):

It's rather easy and enjoyable to do...

***HOW TO SECTION A LIVE CRAB
(For sauteing, roasting, or grilling):


Place the crab in the freezer for 15 minutes to put it to rest. Put on rubber gloves, and place a large clean pan in sink with the crab in it. Lift the flap on the underbelly while placing your right thumb into the hole and lifting the flap up up - while pressing down on the back shell with your other hand and the top will pop right open. Be careful not to spill the juices, and reserve the shell liquid and crab butter by setting it aside for Sandra's Grilled Whole-Sectioned Dungeness Crab recipe. Clean off the gills and whatever parts you are not going to eat, while leaving body and leg sections intact. Hold the crab in both hands so cleaned outside is facing you. Grab both sides of crab sections, so you can bend it into its own belly to 'crack' it in half. Each has four legs sticking out, so stop here if you choose. Or else you could spread, and chop between each leg and body area if you want to separate it further into eight sections.

SANDRA'S SUCCULENT GRILLED BEER CAN CHICKEN

Once you grill these chickens, you'll
have so many options of making
additional recipes on my site,
just search "chicken"
on the "home" page...

Serves (6)
Prep: 10 min |
Grill: 1 hour 20 min.

Posted: by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

Look for a whole chicken
weighing 3 to 3-1/2 pounds;
if larger, you may have trouble
fitting the lid on the grill.

2 (3-to 3-1/2-pound) whole chickens

***Rub
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper



***Glaze
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon hot sauce

***Additions
2 (12-ounce) cans beer
4 bay leaves
1 (13-by-9-inch) disposable aluminum-roasting pan (if using charcoal)
4 cups wood chips, soaked, drained and sealed in a foil packet

METHOD

FOR THE RUB AND CHICKEN

Combine sugar, paprika, salt, pepper and cayenne in a bowl. Measure out and reserve 1 tablespoon of the spice rub for the glaze. Pat the chickens dry with paper towels, and loosen the skin covering the breasts and thighs by sliding your fingers between the skin and the meat. Massage the spice rub on the skin, under the skin and inside the cavity. Poke the skin all over with a skewer or the tip of a sharp knife. Tuck the wings behind the backs of each chicken.

FOR THE GLAZE AND BEER

Combine the sugar, ketchup, vinegar, hot sauce, reserved tablespoon spice rub and 2 tablespoons of the beer in a bowl. Remove (or drink) 1 cup more beer from each can, then add 2 bay leaves, crumbled, to each can. Punch additional holes in the top of each can.

FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL

Open the bottom grill vents halfway and place the roasting pan in the center of the grill. Light a large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (100 briquettes = 6 quarts). When the coals are hot, pour them into two even piles on either side of the roasting pan. Place the wood chip packet on top of one of the coal piles. Set the cooking grate in place, cover, and open the top lid vents halfway. Heat the grill until hot and the wood chips start to smoke heavily, about 5 minutes.

Clean and oil the cooking grate. Place the chickens, upright on the cans, on the grill (in the center on the grill if using charcoal). Cover (positioning the lid vents over the chicken if using charcoal) and cook until the skin is well-browned and very crisp, 40 to 60 minutes.

Brush the chickens with the glaze mid-way through grilling, and continue to cook, covered, until the breasts register 160 to 165 degrees and the thighs register 175 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, about 20 minutes longer.

Wearing oven mitts or using a wad of paper towels, transfer the chickens (still on their cans) from the grill to a carving board, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes. Working with one chicken at a time, hold the base of the can with an oven mitt or a wad of paper towels, insert a pair of tongs into the neck cavity of the chickens, and pull the chickens off the cans. Carve the chickens and serve. - Enjoy!