A Culinary Double-Take

Back to back dinners of deliciousness ... yum! Anticipating more requests for this dish as well (after I finish gushing about it), I thought I'd jump the gun and post it here before my inbox overflows with hungry callers. Still reeling with delight from last night's salmon, I was pleasantly surprised that tonight's dish -- laughingly called Pilgrim's Chicken -- ranked up there along with some top winners. Seriously, this dish was amazing ... I believe I would have licked my plate clean, it was that good. I was truly sad when the dining experience was over and it disappeared. So if you like cranberries and chicken, and you enjoy the sensation of a confused (in a good way) palate, then print this out and give it a go!

(A big note: I made some serious modifications out of necessity. This came from the Beer Can Chicken cookbook -- used heartily back in the day when we still had our fabulous Weber charcoal kettle grill and could do this kind of cooking. We sold the grill, hence the modifications ... If you'd like the real version -- a whole bird with a can stuck up its rear end -- then by all means please let me know ...)


Pilgrim Chicken with Cranberry Salsa

For the Rub:
1/2 tbs brown sugar
1/2 tbs coarse salt (kosher or sea)
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Cranberry Salsa
(Note: this recipe makes far more than you will need, but you won't mind having the leftovers!)

1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1-3 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 scallions, both white and green parts, trimmed and finely chopped
1/3 cup sugar, or more to taste
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (or juice of 2 fresh limes), or more to taste
Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Add all the salsa ingredients in a medium bowl and gently mix well.
Grill the chicken and place on top of a bed of rice.
Top with a generous amount of cranberry salsa.

The results will delightfully confuse your palate, intermingling sweet, tart, and spicy all in one happy mouthful. You'll love it!