Summer is officially here.
The temperature climbed above 30C (86F) today, for the first time this year.
That’s 3 beautiful days in one week.
Grilling time is officially here.
We’ve just been toying with it up until now….
Summer is also about easy…. This is.
Tapenade is a Provencal specialty of finely chopped olives, capers, anchovies and olive oil.
Grilled Chicken With Tapenade
Total time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
- your favorite cut-up chicken pieces we had 3 legs and 3 thighs
- 3 tbs black olive tapenade
- 1 tbs olive oil
- t tbs lemon juice
- 1 tsp paprika
Instructions:
- Loosen the skin on the chicken by slowly working your fingers between the flesh and the skin. Try not to puncture the skin.
- With your fingers take a bit of the tapenade and put it under the skin, smoothing it over the flesh. Pat the skin back in place.
- Whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice; spread over the skin.
- Sprinkle with paprika.
- Cook on barbecue grill for 30 – 45 minutes. Chicken is done at 170F (76C) or when juices run clear – poke with a skewer or knife. Thighs and legs take a bit longer than breasts.
Putting flavorings under the skin lets the flavors slowly baste the meat.
Marinating, and adding to the top of the skin gives a lovely, crispy skin….
Like this Herb and Lemon Grilled Chicken.
For traditional Barbecued Chicken – with my favorite, home-made Barbecue Sauce….
I took a wee break to go out and water the potager.
One of the things I enjoy most about summer here is being able to go out in the evening, after 9PM, water my garden and watch the beautiful sunset.
If I had tried that in Minnesota or Wisconsin I would have been carried off by mosquitoes.
We always had to be in the house before sunset or doused with DEET.
I don’t miss mosquitoes.
We have our fair share of mozzies here too in Australia – unfortunately !!
Love those long, light summer evenings!
Gorgeous color on that chicken Katie.
Do you suppose there is anybody who would miss mosquitoes?
Tapenade under the skin–like that!
We reached 28degC on Sunday but then the rain started yesterday lunchtime and has not stopped. We have never seen the Dronne so full at this time of year and it was 10 deg cooler today -what has happened to summer? Thanks for the tip on Grand Frais. We visited it on Friday and were suitably impressed.
Despite the weather we are enjoying the lovely long evenings and relative lack of mozzies.
Kate, we are really lucky not to have them here – although we do see one occasionally – that worries me….
Zoomie, so do i… Puppies can see to play until almost 11!
Tanna,the bats? We have those…. LOL
Dan, I’m rather fond of olives anywhere….
Gill, this rain has been incredible – farmers’ fields are still flooded – and again flooded. Glad you like Grand Frais – we make it up there every few weeks. Enjoy your hols!