A Malaysian-inspired summer dinner of curry-sambal grilled chicken, smoky eggplant, jasmine rice, and a bright relish made with peak-season Washington cherries.
Total time: 50 minutes
Estimated cost: $8–$10 for 2 servings
Health notes: About 700 calories per serving, with roughly 40 grams of protein plus fiber from eggplant, cherries, and onion.
Drink pairing: An off-dry Riesling cools the sambal heat and complements the sweet-tart cherry relish.
Details
Ingredients
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Foster Farms Fresh & Natural Chicken Thighs Value Pack1 1/2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs, excess skin removed $1.49
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Eggplant1 pound $1.99
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Private Selection® Super Sweet Washington Skylar Rae Cherries4 ounces $5.99
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Private Selection® Walla Walla Sweet Onion2 ounces $3.99
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Smart Way™ Jasmine Rice1/2 cup dry $3.59
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Fresh Organic Lime1 lime, for 1 teaspoon zest and 2 tablespoons juice $1.29
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Organic Ginger Root1 tablespoon grated $3.99
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Garlic1 clove, grated $0.79
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Organic Cilantro1/4 cup chopped $1.69
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Water3/4 cup
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Low-sodium soy sauce2 tablespoons
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Neutral cooking oil2 tablespoons
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Brown sugar1 tablespoon
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Curry powder1 teaspoon
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Sambal oelek1 tablespoon
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Kosher salt1 teaspoon
Instructions
- Preheat a grill to medium-high, about 425°F. Combine 1/2 cup dry jasmine rice, 3/4 cup water, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat and rest covered for 5 minutes.
- Whisk 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, 1 grated garlic clove, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon curry powder, 2 teaspoons sambal oelek, 1 teaspoon lime zest, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Coat 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs in the mixture and marinate for 10 minutes.
- Pit and finely chop 4 ounces Washington cherries. Mix the 4 ounces chopped cherries with 2 ounces finely diced Walla Walla sweet onion, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1 teaspoon sambal oelek, and 1 tablespoon lime juice; set the cherry sambal aside.
- Slice 1 pound eggplant lengthwise into 1/2-inch planks, then coat the 1 pound sliced eggplant with 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes per side until deeply marked and tender.
- Grill the marinated 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs for 7 to 9 minutes per side, moving them to indirect heat for up to 5 minutes if needed, until the thickest pieces reach 165°F; rest for 5 minutes.
- Fluff the full cooked batch made from 1/2 cup dry jasmine rice and divide it between 2 plates. Add the grilled 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs and grilled 1 pound eggplant, then spoon the full 4-ounce cherry sambal over the chicken and serve.