Grilled Tamarind Chicken Wings – A Great Appetizer
Bush Bar Restaurant
Nevis, West Indies
Ingredients:
8 Chicken wings chopped
6 Spring onions, finely
1 Medium sized Scotch Bonnet pepper, finely minced. A Habanero pepper can be substituted
2 Tablespoons Peanut oil, canola oil can be substituted
3 Garlic cloves, crushed
1 Teaspoon Ground turmeric
2 Teaspoons Ground coriander
4 Tablespoons Tamarind Paste (#ad)
4 Chicken drumsticks
2 Limes
Cooking Method:
1. Place chicken in a pan of boiling water. Reduce the heat and allow the chicken wings to simmer, for 15 minutes or until cooked through. Drain and cool on a wire cooling rack.
2. Combine tamarind sauce, coriander, turmeric and garlic, add to chicken, toss well to coat. Let the wings marinate in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, overnight is even better!
3. Heat peanut oil in a frying pan, add chilies and spring onions, stir-fry over low heat for 3 minutes, set aside.
4. Grill chicken, preferably over a wood or charcoal fire until GBD (golden, Brown, and Delicious), thanks Alton Brown!
5. Toss the grilled wings in the chili and green onion mixture, and drizzle the juice of one freshly fresh squeezed lime over the wings
6. Garnish with lime wedge and a sprig of fresh cilantro
5 Possible Health Benefits of Tamarind
- A rich source of antioxidants – The pulp of tamarind is rich in numerous phytonutrients that act as potent dietary antioxidants, and can enhance the efficacy of the body’s natural immune defences. Antioxidants are needed to reduce the inflammatory impact of oxidative stress.
- May have anticancer properties – In a 2014 animal study, tamarind seed extract reduced both the oxidative stress markers and delayed the progress of Renal Cell Carcinoma. This is down to its antioxidant effect, and that tamarind seed extract has antioxidant enzyme induction properties and cancer-related signal pathway blockage effect.
- May improve heart health and cholesterol – Being rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, tamarind has been shown to decrease LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol, thereby lowering the risk of atherosclerosis. The dried pulp was also found to have anti-hypertensive effects, reducing diastolic blood pressure.
- Provides natural antimicrobial benefits – Natural compounds present in tamarind extract have the potential of being used as a natural antimicrobial against pathogenic microorganisms. Specifically, a compound called lupeol has been identified for its antibacterial properties.
- May offer anti-diabetic effects – The anti-inflammatory effect of tamarind seed extract has been shown to offer potential protective benefits and improve blood sugar regulation in those with diabetes.