Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Smokin' Chicken


Bummer! Due to “inclement” weather, mainly THE WIND, no kayaking this weekend. Saturday’s winds were 25-30 mph and Sunday in the morning we had rain, of which we could use as it has not rained in weeks but, it has to do it the day we plan to head out on the water! So instead, we fired up the ol’ smoker again! We cannot kayak, but we sure can eat!

I must tell you, if you do not have a smoker, you might just want to think about investing in one. They are very inexpensive and put out some pretty darn good food. The nice thing about them, they can be used as a grill or smoker! One of my favorite books to go along with my smoker is “Smoke and Spice” by Cheryl and Bill Jamison. They have lots of great recipes for rubs, mops, marinades, side dishes, desserts and a few good drink recipes to sip as you are smokin’ your dinner!



I wonder what these two birds are saying to each other before the lights go out and the heat cranks up? Whatever it was must have been good as these birds were terrific!

I was reading “Smoke and Spice” the other night and came upon “Chicken on a Throne”! This is a classic recipe as you grill or smoke your chicken atop a can of beer! Now how cool is that! The night before smoking the birds I made a rub from paprika, black pepper, salt, sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder and a nice heap of cayenne pepper. Next I made an injection liquid from beer, coconut oil, cider vinegar and some of the rub. I injected the birds and then rubbed them down with the rub mixture, sealed those guys in plastic bags and into the fridge for the night.
Next afternoon we cranked up the smoker with charcoal and hickory wood blocks that we soaked for a few hours, opened 2 beers, drank one and then divided the beer between the two cans. To that I added a chopped onion, chopped garlic and a bit of cider vinegar. Placed chickens “on their thrones”, lid on and lights out for the birds, for about 4 hours.

Birds are complete and resting on their thrones in the kitchen awaiting the platter where they will rest and then be consumed! These chickens were smoky, but not heavily, and so moist and tender. No dry chicken at all!



With the smoked chicken I served a simple potato salad, a cucumber salad and a warm dish of:



Black Eyed Peas & Tomatoes

1 Can of Black Eyed Peas, rinsed and drained
1 Medium onion chopped
2-3 Cloves of garlic chopped
2 Tablespoons of coconut oil
2 Teaspoons of dried thyme
1 Heaping tablespoon of fresh thyme (optional)
1 Bay Leaf
1 14 oz. can chopped tomatoes with juice
½ cup of white wine
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1-2 Cayenne peppers chopped
Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat oil in skillet over medium heat adding the onion and cayenne pepper. Sauté for about 4 minutes. Add garlic, bay leaf, and thyme and stir for another minute. Now add the tomatoes and wine. Simmer until sauce thickens, about 25 minutes. Add the black eyed peas and parsley, cook until heated through. Discard bay leaf, add salt and pepper to taste.
This is a tasty easy side dish that goes well with any of your favorite BBQ recipes.

Now our week moves along with plans to attempt kayaking again this weekend! We will get there!!!!
Cheers!

18 comments:

Peter M said...

Sorry the trip got postponed...soon Deb, soon.

I'm a big proponent of beer can chicken...simply delicious results...the salad ain't bad either!

Silvia - Magnolia Wedding Planner said...

I'm sorry that the weather is not so good..even here after few days of sun today has been raining again :-( this spring is really strange. And even cold!
those two "birds" are really fantastic looking at each other! :-) and thanks for the tasty recipe.
Silvia

Gloria Baker said...

This dish Debs look wonderful, so nice and with salad is my favorite!!!x Gloria
Sorry you cannot travel, but the weather is so strangue here too.
Rain,sun, cold and sun again, I have a cold now!

Proud Italian Cook said...

Sorry about your planned trip being cancelled. Anyway we make beer can chicken several times through out the summer. It's unbelievable how juicy the chicken turns out, and how crispy the skin gets. I have never injected mine with beer, wow I have to try that!

LisaRene said...

Sorry the weather wasn't permissible for kayaking. I have never been but it sure sounds like a lot of fun. The closest I get to kayaking is spending a couple of hours a week on my rowing machine :)

I zeroed in on on the Black Eyed peas and tomatoes made all the more elegant with the addition of white wine!

I have never noticed any "cooking with wine" roundups and that just seems a shame :(

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

There will be plenty of kayaking weekends Deb. In the meantime enjoy our second love food and wine:D...or is that our first love...wink...wink...

Aimée said...

What a mouth watering dinner, Deb! You really outdid yourself. I can only imagine how good that chicken must have tasted!

Anonymous said...

hi deb, just found your blog and we are headed down to key west this weekend. is there a farmers market there where we can find the lovely chicken you made?

winedeb said...

Hi Peter, would like to hear or see your recipe!

Hey Silvia, hope you can try one or the other some time. Hope your rain stops and spring blooms again!

Hey Gloria, it is a crazy spring for many. Hope you feel better soon!

Hi Marie, like I told Peter, would love to hear your recipe!

Hey Lisarene, the tomato dish is so simple yet very flavorful!

I don't have to tell YOU that one Val!

Hi Aimee, oh so juicy and flavorful!

Hey do snover, hope you enjoy your trip to our great island! We do not have a farmers market here but do have some really nice grocery stores. Best Chicken - a store called Fausto's. Fresh veggies - Waterfront Market and I do all of my major shopping at Publix! They have their Green Market that is nice and their veggies are very fresh and they have a nice organic section! Have fun!!!!!

Mike of Mike's Table said...

Sorry to hear about the trip, but it sure looks like you made the most of the time at home! The chicken looks delicious and is all the more incentive for me to get a proper smoker...

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry that kayaking got postponed but at least this way you keep us drooling over delicious recipes like this one. I adore the colour of your smoked chicken!!!!

Jennifer said...

Hope you get your kayaking in next weekend. In the meantime, it looks like you're eating well! :)

Lori Lynn said...

That is an awesome feast. With all those flavorful ingredients that chicken had to be fantastic. Love the name Chicken on a Throne.

Hope you got your weather this weekend.

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

The black eyed peas and tomatoes sound right up my street, Deb!

Don't fall in!

Gloria Baker said...

Debs I have an Award to you at my Blog,xxGloria

Thistlemoon said...

Wow, that looks awesome! I love chicken this way, and I hae often thought about getting a smoker - so I can smoke my own salmon. Sadly though we are on a second floor condo right now and no outdoor cooking implements allowed! What a pity!

Katie Zeller said...

We brought an identical smoker with us from the U.S. 11 years ago... and, yes, I have that book.
Never made the chicken tho....

Anonymous said...

The Chicken on a throne really makes me drool!! I love chicken meat...Roasted chicken, spring Chicken, Chicken Curry etc..Anyway, here in the philippines - we call the chicken on a throne - "PINA UPONG MANOK" Deb, Can you pronounce it??