Turmeric Chicken

Turmeric Chicken (gai ka-min, gai leuang, ????????, ?????????) is a common treat found in Pattaya or Bang Saen, the beach towns south of Bangkok. It’s grilled by vendors who push their carts next to the beach. You buy a few pieces, a batch of sticky rice, and enjoy your meal under an umbrella with your feet in the sand. Jett made this recipe for my family one summer in Cape Cod, and they ate the whole batch without stopping. Here’s her recipe.

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons coriander roots cleaned and chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon whole :turmeric:, de-skinned, or 1 teaspoon powdered :turmeric:
  • 1/2 cup garlic cloves, de-skinned
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 2 teaspoons fish sauce
  • 3 teaspoons golden mountain brand soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons white sugar
  • 2 legs & 2 thighs chicken

Directions

  1. Peel the skin off the turmeric if using whole root. Smash with the garlic, coriander roots and peppercorns to make a paste.
  2. Rinse the chicken and add to a bowl. Add the soy sauce, fish sauce & sugar.
  3. Put your hand inside a plastic bag and rub the paste into the chicken. Poke the chicken with a fork a bit to make holes for the marinade to seep in. Coat well, cover and refrigerate for 4-5 hours or overnight.
  4. After marinating, either grill or bake in the oven until cooked.
  5. To test if your chicken is done, poke with a fork on the thickest part of the meat to the middle of the piece. Pull out the fork and watch the juice come out of the hole. If it’s pink, it’s not done. If it’s clear, it’s done. Don’t cut big slices into the piece or the meat will dry out.

Note:

This is a great party/bbq food to share with friends. You can make a ton in advance and grill it outside.

Jett made three 'family packs' of chicken (about 40 chicken legs + thighs) for some friends one night in the US. She was cooking on a grill. She turned around to taste it, and the chicken was gone. Her 3 friends had eaten it all and she didn't even get a chance to try it!

Be careful with the turmeric -- it stains! It's almost impossible to get out of countertops, hands, plates, etc.

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Smash

Smash these ingredients to make a paste

Mix

Mix the paste with the chicken

Marinate

Then marinate for 4-5 hours or overnight