Beer Can Nonya BBQ Chicken

We’re forever looking for ways to keep meat moist when we BBQ and this is certainly a unique way of going about it!  With the added interest of a Nonya Style marinade and dipping sauce, it’s hard to beat.

Ingredients

• 1 medium sized chicken (large enough to feed 4 people)
• ¾  cup spice paste
• 1 regular can beer
• ¼  cup dipping sauce

Spice paste (makes 2 ½ cups past - enough for 4 chickens)

• 400 g red onions, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 4 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground clove
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 4 tsp ground turmeric
• 2 tsp ground white pepper
• 6 tsp sea salt, or to taste
• 6 tsp sugar, or to taste
• 1 cup coconut cream

Put all ingredients into a spice grinder, food processor or blender and process till a fine paste. Store in an airtight container in the fridge till required.

Dipping sauce to mix together (makes 1 cup sauce - enough for 4 chickens)

• 4 tsp grainy mustard
• 12 tblsp  Worcestershire sauce
• 8 tsp sugar
• 8 tsp lime juice
• 4 tsp light soy sauce
• 2 small red chillies deseed and sliced (or may be omitted)
• 4 shallots peeled and sliced thinly

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight jar in the fridge till required.

Method

Rub spice paste over the chicken, both inside and out.

Cover and put in the fridge for a minimum of 1 hour or over night.

Pre heat the BBQ.

Open the beer, drink a third, cut the top off the can with a pair of scissors.

When ready to cook, remove chicken from the fridge, sit chicken cavity over the beer can, and stand up on an oven proof tray to catch the drips.

Place in a medium hot BBQ and lower lid.

Cook for about 45 minutes or until cooked.

Take out of the BBQ, let it rest for 5 minutes, remove from can and serve with dipping sauce

Alternatively, omit the beer can, and BBQ normally, also works in the oven.

John Hawkesby’s wine recommendation

Chardonnay
Palliser Estate Pencarrow 2010

Pinot Noir
Mud House Swan 2009