Grilled Basil-Marinated Chicken

Level: Easy
Total: 3 hr 31 min

Prep: 16 min
Inactive: 3 hr
Cook: 15 min

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon chopped basil leaves, plus 4 sprigs for garnish
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 2 pounds)

Directions
Whisk together the oil, vinegar, basil, onion, salt, peppercorns, and garlic in a bowl. Transfer the marinade to a gallon-sized sealable plastic bag with the chicken and shake to combine. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to 12 hours.

When ready to cook, build a charcoal fire or preheat gas grill.
Remove chicken from the marinade. Grill the chicken, turning once, until browned and just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a platter and garnish with the basil sprigs.

Sweet and Spicy Chili Glazed Grilled Shrimp

Sweet and Spicy Chili Glazed Grilled Shrimp
From Sonoma Cooking Class

Serves 8 as an appetizer

2 lb raw, shelled, de-veined shrimp
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh ginger, minced
1/4 cup hot chili garlic paste
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice
Kosher Salt
Freshly-ground black pepper
1/2 cup Rice bran oil

- Rinse shrimp in cold water and place in a large ziploc bag
- combine garlic, ginger, both chili pastes, honey, lime juice, salt, pepper, and oil in a large bowl.  Whisk thoroughly.  Set aside 1 cup of the marinade.
- Pour remaining mixture over shrimp and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- When ready to cook, thread shrimp onto skewers
- If using bamboo skewers, soak in water for at least 1/2 hour before skewering.  Preheat outdoor grill to medium high. Place all skewers on grill.
- When they've cooked for 1 1/2 - 2 minutes, quickly flip them over brush with any remaining marinade that's in the bag.  Cook for another 1 1/2 - 2 minutes, or until opaque and pink.  Shrimp cook extremely quickly and you don't want to overcook them.
- Remove skewers from grill and remove shrimp from skewers and, drizzle with reserved marinade, and squeeze with extra lime if you desire.

Grilled Pineapple with Bourbon Caramel and Lime Zest

Grilled Pineapple with Bourbon Caramel and Lime Zest
From Sonoma Cooking Class

Serves 6
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp lime zest
1 pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 6 wedges

- Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate
- Whisk brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl.  Pour sugar mixture into a large re-sealable plastic bag.  Place pineapple wedges in bag and shake to coat each wedge.
- Grill pineapple wedges on the preheated grill.  Serve with Bourbon Caramel.


Bourbon Caramel

1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp bourbon
pinch of salt

- Simmer sugar and 1/4 cup water on medium heat, swirling pan NOT stirring for about 15 minutes or until a deep amber color is reached.  Watch closely as not to let it burn.
- Turn off burner and remove from heat and slowly add cream while stirring.  Add pinch of salt and bourbon and place back on still-warm burner for another minute while stirring.
- Transfer to a heat-safe dish or bottle and let cool.