Serves 4 to 8.
Note: You will need a grill screen or basket to hold the tomatillos and jalapeño over the heat. From "The Total Grilling Manual: 264 Essentials for Cooking With Fire," edited by Lisa Atwood.
• 1/4 c. Cumin Rub (see recipe)
• 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1/8 c. to 1/4 c. canola oil
• 7 large tomatillos, papery husks removed and cut in half
• 1 jalapeño chile, halved lengthwise and seeded
• 2 to 4 tsp. fresh lime juice
•1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 c. chopped fresh cilantro
• Kosher salt
Directions
In a large bowl, combine chicken thighs and oil. Toss to coat. Transfer thighs to a platter and sprinkle evenly on all sides with Cumin Rub.
Prepare charcoal or gas grill for indirect grilling over medium heat; temperature inside grill should be 350 to 375 degrees. If using charcoal, bank lit coals on either side of the grill bed, leaving a strip in center without heat, and place drip pan in the center. If using gas, preheat burners, then turn off one or more burners to create cooler zone. Oil grill grate.
To make the salsa: Place tomatillos and chile on a grill screen or basket set over direct-heat area of grill (the vegetables will fall through without it). Cook, turning as needed, until well charred on all sides, about 3 minutes. Transfer tomatillos and chile to a blender, add lime juice and 1 tablespoon olive oil, and pulse until combined but still chunky. Transfer to a bowl, fold in cilantro, and season with salt. Makes about 2 cups. (The salsa can be made up to a week in advance and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
To grill the chicken: Place thighs, meaty side down, over indirect-heat area of grill. Cook, turning once, until thighs are nicely grill-marked on both sides and firm to the touch, about 10 to 15 minutes per side. Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh away from the bone; when done it should be 170 degrees. Try to turn thighs only once so they develop nice grill marks.
Transfer thighs to a platter and let rest for 10 minutes. Serve at once with salsa.
Nutrition information per each of 8 servings:
Calories265Fat17 gSodium85 mg
Carbohydrates4 gSaturated fat4 gTotal sugars2 g
Protein24 gCholesterol75 mgDietary fiber1 g
Exchanges per serving: 3 ½ medium-fat protein.
Makes about 1/3 cup.
Note: From "The Total Grilling Manual: 264 Essentials for Cooking With Fire," edited by Lisa Atwood.
• 1/4 c. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. smoked paprika
• 1 tsp. firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp. ground coriander
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a small, dry frying pan over low heat, toast cumin, stirring often, until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Pour onto a plate and let cool.
Then combine cumin, paprika, brown sugar, coriander, cayenne pepper and black pepper in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Use right away or store in a tightly covered container in a cool, dark place for up to 1 month.
It’s too soon to tell how much the immigration crackdown is to blame.
