Thai Garlic Chicken Recipe

This may sound like a lot of garlic and pepper, but the result is so unusual and delicious. The coarsely crushed peppercorns are not as hot as the same amount of finely ground pepper.

Ingredients : Serves 4-5

1 x 1.5 kg (3 lb) roasting chicken or 1 kg (2 lb) chicken breasts
6 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
4 whole plants fresh coriander, including roots
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Cut chicken into serving pieces, or cut breasts in halves. Crush garlic with the salt. Coarsely crush peppercorns with a mortar and pestle or in a blender. Finely chop the well-washed coriander roots, stems and leaves. Mix all the seasonings together and rub well into the chicken pieces. Cover and stand for 1 hour at least, or in refrigerator overnight.

Put pieces of chicken on a grill tray and put under a hot grill approximately 15 cm (6 inches) from heat. Cook, turning every 5 minutes, until chicken is tender and skin is crisp. (If possible, cook on a barbecue over glowing coals.)

Serve with boiled rice, fresh tomatoes sliced and seasoned with a pinch of chili powder, salt and lemon juice to taste, or thinly sliced onion.