Southwest Chicken Barbecue
1 cup ketchup
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, if available
1/4 cup strong black coffee
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 to 2 tablespoons pure ground hot chile
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar, packed
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
3 to 4 pounds chicken, cut into serving pieces
- To prepare the sauce: in a 2-quart saucepan
combine all the ingredients and all the sauce to simmer, uncovered
over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside until you are
ready to barbecue.
- To barbecue the chicken: when the fire
is ready, position the rack 5 inches above the heat source.
- Place the chicken pieces on the hot rack,
skin side down. When seared, turn and grill the pieces bone side
down, until light golden.
- Remove the chicken from the grill and
cover the grill with a layer of heavy duty aluminum foil. Puncture
the foil to make plenty of ventilation holes.
- Place the chicken on the foil, skin side
down, and generously spoon on the barbecue sauce. Grill until
the sauce is set. Then turn the pieces over, sauce the skin side
and grill bone side down.
- Continue saucing and turning until all
the pieces are done, about 50 to 60 minutes. To test to doneness,
insert the tip of a sharp knife into the largest piece of chicken
breast. If the juices run clear, it's done
Makes 1 1/2 cups sauce, serving 3 to 4
people.