Thai Grilling Sauce Recipes

THAI GRILLED CHICKEN (GAI YANG)

Steps:

• Add the lemongrass, cilantro (coriander), shallots, and garlic to a mortar and pestle, and pound until pulverized. You can also use a food processor for this step.
• Add the oil, sugar, salt, black pepper, Thai soy sauces, fish sauce and turmeric (if using). Mix until well-combined.
• You can butterfly or spatchcock your chicken for grilling like it's done on the streets of Thailand. However, I cut the chicken into individual pieces to ensure they'd cook properly. This way, I can pull each piece off the grill once cooked. Rub the chicken with the marinade paste, ensuring every piece is thoroughly coated. Cover and place in the refrigerator to marinate overnight (or at least 12 hours).
• The next day, take the chicken out 1 to 2 hours before you're ready to grill.
• In a small bowl, mix the sugar and hot water until the sugar is dissolved. Mix in the rest of the sauce ingredients and set aside.
• Place the chicken on the grill, and use any remaining marinade to baste the chicken while grilling. Leave the marinade paste on the chicken, including any chunks of herbs as they will caramelize and add flavor. Turn and baste the chicken often to create a nice flavorful outer crust. Baste the chicken with the leftover marinade in the first half of the grilling process, but do not do this towards the end of cooking. The raw chicken marinade needs enough time to fully cook.
• Serve immediately with some coconut rice, your nam jim jeaw sauce, and lime wedges!

THAI GRILLED CHICKEN WITH SWEET CHILE DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• In a shallow dish, mix together the coconut milk, fish sauce, 2 tablespoons minced garlic, cilantro, turmeric, curry powder, and white pepper. Add chicken, and turn to coat. Cover, and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat grill for high heat.
• In a saucepan, combine vinegar, water, sugar, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, bird's eye chile, and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer until liquid is reduced, about 5 minutes. Stir sauce from time to time. Remove from heat and allow to cool before use.
• Lightly oil grill grate. Discard marinade, and place chicken on the grill. Cook for 10 minutes per side, or until slightly charred and juices run clear. Brush with sauce before serving. Serve remaining sauce on the side for dipping.

THAI GRILLING SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, mix together sugar and cornstarch.
• Whisk in broth, vinegar, lime juice, fish sauce, ginger, lemongrass, pepper flakes, and cayenne.
• Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until lightly thickened; then reduce heat and simmer 2-3 minutes more.
• Remove from heat and stir in basil.
• Brush on pork or chicken during the last 10-12 minutes of grilling.

THAI BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the sesame oil and cook onion (be careful, sesame oil has a low flashpoint and burns easily).
• Add ginger and cook 5 minutes.
• Add remaining ingredients and cook 20 minutes.
• Strain and cook another 20 minutes.
• This will keep well in the refrigerator.

THAI BARBEQUE MARINADE

Steps:

• Whisk together the fish sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, sugar, garlic, ginger, and honey in a small bowl. Marinate meat at least 6 hours or over night before cooking.