http://www.cooking.com/recipes-and-more/RecPrint.aspx?rid=8076
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Slow-grilling
in Mexico is done directly over a bed of hardwood charcoal that’s quite
a distance from the chicken; we can achieve a similar result by heating
only part of a gas grill or by banking live coals to the sides. A good
number of Mexican chicken grillers are rotisserie jockeys, so if you’re
an aficionado of the rotisserie attachment for your grill, you’re in good company.
INGREDIENTS
For the Marinade: |
1
1/2 tablespoons ground ancho chile powder (available from national
companies such as McCormick, Mexican groceries and internet sites) |
1 teaspoon dried oregano, preferably Mexican |
A big pinch of ground cloves |
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, preferably Mexican canela |
2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped or crushed through a garlic press |
3 tablespoons vinegar (apple cider
vinegar gives a Mexican flavor) |
1/4 cup orange juice |
1 teaspoon salt, plus a little more for the onions |
1 large (3-pound) chicken (what some butchers call a large frying chicken, others call a small roasting chicken) |
A little vegetable or olive oil for brushing the onions 2 large bunches green
onions, preferably the ones with large (1-inch) white bulbs at the end
(these "knob" onions are available at Mexican markets and many farmer’s
markets), roots and wilted outer leaves removed |
About 1 cup Roasted Tomatillo Salsa, for serving |
In a small bowl, mix together all the marinade ingredients. |
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DIRECTIONS
Heat
one side of a gas grill to medium. If you have a grill with three
burners, heat the outer two to medium, leaving the center one off. Or
light a charcoal fire and let it burn until the charcoal is covered with
white ash and about medium-hot; bank half the coals to one side of the
grill, half to the other.
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While
the grill is heating, remove the giblets (if there are any) from the
cavity of the chicken. Flip the chicken onto its breast. Using poultry
shears, cut down both sides of the backbone from tail to neck; discard
backbone. Or, if you don’t have shears, lay the bird on its back, insert
a long heavy knife into the body cavity and press down hard with a
rocking motion to cut down through both sides of the backbone. Open the
bird out onto your work surface, breast side up. Make sure that the legs
are turned inward. Using your fist or a mallet, wallop the bird on the
breast, hard enough to dislodge the center bones and flatten out the
breast. Twist the last joint of the wings up over the breast and then
down behind the “shoulders,” tucking them in firmly to keep them in
place during grilling.
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Smear
both sides of the chicken with the marinade. Lay in the center of the
grill (it will not be over direct heat). Cook, without turning, basting
from time to time with any remaining marinade, until the juices run
clear when a thigh is pierced deeply with a fork (an instant-read
thermometer should register
about 160 degrees F when inserted at the thickest part of the thigh),
about 45 minutes. If you’re cooking over charcoal, you’ll want to add
more charcoal to the fire after half an hour or so—the internal
temperature of the grill should stay at about 325 degrees F.
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About
10 minutes before the chicken is ready, brush or spray the green onions
with oil and sprinkle with salt. Grill directly over the fire, turning
frequently, until tender and browned.
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Remove
the chicken to a cutting board. It will lose less juice if you cover it
loosely with foil and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
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Cut
the chicken into quarters (or smaller pieces). Transfer a portion to
each of four dinner plates. Top with the grilled onions, and you’re
ready to serve. Pass the salsa separately. |
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