NYC Halal Chicken

Back in May, my daughter Mira and I took a day long trip to New York City to enjoy some shopping and of course, eating. Typically I make a point of eating something local wherever I go - doesn't have to be fancy, just something that I can't get at home. On prior trips, the Sabrett hot dog food cart was where I had lunch. I had figured it would be much the same this time. But on this trip there seemed to be an explosion of food carts catering to New York's Muslim population, all proudly displaying a halal sign. I couldn't resist and ordered the chicken. I figure that when immigrant people come to the US, we the lucky inhabitants get to eat more yummy food. And truly it was delicious. I realize that "halal" is a way of cooking as opposed to an actual recipe, so my Halal Chicken is named in honor of the food cart vendors who cook up this delicious food.

NYC Halal Chicken
2 pounds skinless boneless chicken
1/2 cup fat free Greek (strained) yogurt
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Combine garlic, seasonings, juice and yogurt and mix well. Add raw chicken (I used breasts), cut into pieces and marinate overnight. Grill on a flat top grill or saute in a skillet until golden and cooked through. Serve over rice pilaf, lettuce and fresh tomatoes. Drizzle with white sauce (recipe below) or your favorite tzatziki- or riata-style sauce. You can also serve with the white sauce on a bun. Yum-o-licious!

NYC Halal Chicken White Sauce
1/2 cup fat free Greek yogurt
1/3 cup low fat mayonnaise
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper.

Mira poses by a food cart in New York City.

Mixed Chicken Sausage Grill

On Friday nights, I am tired from a long week of work and am ready for some relaxing. This is a quick and easy meal cooked outdoors on a hot afternoon. My local meat market has tons of cool chicken sausages, and these are two of our family favorites. You can mix it up with your own favorite lean chicken sausage or other sausage, vegetables and seasonings.

Chipotle Honey Chicken Sausage with Fiesta Lime Mrs. Dash seasoning

Mixed Chicken Sausage Grill

2 pounds chicken sausage

2 medium onions, sliced

4 small baby zucchini, sliced

2 cups of grape tomatoes

1 teaspoon of your favorite salt-free seasoning mixture

1 teaspoon canola oil

1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt (if desired)

Grill sausages in a hot grill until done. Slice and set aside. In a grill wok, drizzle zucchini and onion slices with canola oil and saute over hot coals. Add sausage slices and continue to cook until vegetables are tender. Add grape tomatoes and heat until the tomatoes just start to burst. Serve alone or over whole grain pasta.

Apple Maple Chicken Sausage with Penzey's Sunny Paris Seasoning