Chicken Satay Skewers

Oops! I almost forgot that I have a category called "Oriental". Its been long since I cooked something in Chinese or Japanese. So here goes this time. An Appetizer from South East Asia is coming through this weekend. Now who doesn't love Oriental cuisine. Its everybody's all time favourite. Everybody prefers to go to a Chinese, Thai or a Japanese restaurant during the weekends. At least I do. :) Actually I don't mind going anywhere as long as I get good food!!

Chicken Satay it is, coming straight from I don't know Japan or Indonesia...cos I have relished good satays in Japanese restaurants but when I researched, I found out that Satay have originated from Indonesia. So not getting into a debate here & straight going to the recipe. Satay, basically means any meat which is marinated in an oriental spice paste & then skewered to grill. It is served with a nice Satay Sauce. It is a good Appetizer to be made for your guests, who will just be amazed to see how a restaurant dish can be made just so quick & delicious at home. Earn your brownie points mates....So Let's get Cooking!!

Ingredients:

• 500 gm of chicken breasts (cut into finger length strips)
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 4 cloves garlic
• juice of 1 lemon
• 2-3 green chillies
• 3 tbsp cooking oil
• salt & pepper to season

Method:

1. Put the coriander, cumin seeds & the turmeric powder into a dry frying pan & fry for a minute. Tip into a blender & add the garlic, lime juice, chillies, 1 tbsp of vegetable oil & salt & pepper. Whizz for 1-2 minutes until smooth paste.
2. Put the paste into a large, shallow dish, add the chicken & toss everything together. Cover & chill for atleast 20 minutes or upto 12 hours.
3. Soak few wooden skewers in water for 10-15 minutes before cooking the chicken.
4. Heat the Bar-Be-Que or grill or a non stick griddle until hot. Thread the chicken onto the skewers, drizzle with the remaining oil & grill for 4-5 minutes on each side until juices run clear when the chicken is pierced with a skewer.
5. Serve in a tray with cut cucumber sticks and Satay Sauce.

PS: For the Satay Sauce recipe, please go to "Satay Sauce".