Chicken Satay

This yummy chicken dish was a new meal for our family. It turned out to be a real crowd pleaser and I must say, it feels pretty good when everyone gobbles up dinner! The recipe is a modified version of Jamie Oliver's Chicken Skewers with Amazing Satay Sauce. With two toddlers at the table, I left out the chili and, as usual, I doubled the garlic. Delicious! Serves 4

Ingredients

4-5 organic chicken thighs 
2 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic
3 heaping tbsp crunchy peanut butter
1 tsp ground ginger
2 limes
4-5 skewers
1 small bunch of cilantro
2 small hearts of romaine lettuce
1/4 red onion thinly sliced
soy sauce
honey

Preparation

1. Lay skewers in water (weigh down if they float).
2. Pulse to a paste, in a food processor with a standard blade: half the cilantro (save the other half for garnish), a peeled garlic clove, 3 heaping tablespoons crunchy peanut butter, a teaspoon of ground ginger, a lug of soy sauce, the zest of two limes, the juice of one lime, and two tablespoons of water. Adjust seasonings to taste.
3. Place half of the paste in a small serving bowl, drizzle over some olive oil and place on dinner table. Set the rest of the paste aside.
4. Cut chicken into 1-2 inch pieces and make 4-5 kabobs using the soaked skewers.
5. Rub the paste on both sides of the chicken skewers, using all the paste, and lay on a baking dish or tray with a lip.
6. Drizzle olive oil and scatter some salt over the skewers then place in the oven, on the top rack, under the broiler, for 8-10 minutes. Turn skewers and broil for another 8-10 minutes.
7. While the chicken is cooking, pull the leaves off the hearts of romaine and throw away any tattered outer leaves. Rinse the crisp inner ones and lay on a garnish platter. 
8. Chop the remaining cilantro and slice the red onion and lime. Add these to the garnish plate.
9. Turn skewers one last time, drizzle some honey over the skewers and broil for a final 8-10 minutes. 

During this last 10 minutes I steamed gyozas as a quick side dish and chopped some pineapple for dessert. 

To eat the Chicken Satay, spread some satay sauce on a heart of romaine lettuce leaf, place some chicken pieces in the lettuce boat, and top with onion, cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

Pineapple is a great finish with this dish. Try adding a little coconut yogurt to the pineapple - amazing!