Grilled Tandoori-Spiced Chicken over Green Papaya Salad

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, cut into 4 sections, skin removed
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 5 green cardamom pods
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Yogurt sauce, as an accompaniment, recipe follows
• Green Papaya Salad, as an accompaniment, recipe follows

Directions

With a sharp paring knife, make 2 to 3 (1/2-inch deep) diagonal cuts in each piece of chicken, being careful not to cut all the way through.

In a small saute pan set over moderate heat, combine the ginger, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cardamom pods, and cayenne. Cook, gently shaking the pan, until you can smell the spices, approximately 1 minute.

Transfer the spices to a spice/coffee grinder and grind the spices finely.

Transfer the chicken pieces to a large resealable plastic bag and add the spice mixture, garlic, and lemon juice and toss to coat thoroughly, making sure the rub penetrates the cuts. Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator, for at least 5 hours or overnight.

Preheat grill.

Remove chicken pieces from the plastic bag and pat them dry. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Rub the chicken pieces thoroughly with half the shortening.

Grill chicken on an oiled rack 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals or on a gas grill for 7 to 10 minutes per side. While grilling, brush on the remaining shortening. When the chicken pieces are cooked through, transfer to a platter. Let chicken stand while preparing salad.

Yogurt sauce:

• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 lemon, zested
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
• Pinch cayenne
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a sieve, drain the yogurt for 15 minutes. In a bowl, combine yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, cilantro, cayenne, salt, and pepper, to taste.

Yield: approximately 1/2 cup

Green Papaya Salad:

• 2 large garlic cloves, forced through a garlic press
• 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
• 3 tablespoons Asian fish sauce (preferably nuoc mam)
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 small thin fresh red or green Asian chile (1 or 2 inches long) or Serrano chile, or to taste, seeded and finely chopped (wear rubber gloves)
• 1 1/2 pounds green papaya, peeled, seeded, and coarsely shredded in a food processor (about 4 cups)
• 2 carrots, finely shredded
• 2/3 cup cilantro leaves, washed well and spun dry
• 4 tablespoons roasted peanuts, crushed

In a large bowl, whisk together the pressed garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar, and blend until the sugar is dissolved.

Add chile, papaya, carrot, and cilantro to the dressing, tossing well. Salad may be made 2 hours ahead and chilled, covered. Bring salad to room temperature before serving. Serve salad sprinkled with peanuts.

Yield: 4 servings