Smoky Tamarind-Glazed Chicken

[Ingredients]

• 4 chicken drumsticks (bone-in thighs work great, too)

• ⅔ cup tamarind puree

• 1 chipotle pepper (canned)

• 3 cloves garlic

• ⅓ cup soy sauce

• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil

• 1T anchovy paste *optional*

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• ⅓ cup canola oil

• 1 lime, juiced and zested

  Garnish

• ⅓ cup pomegranate seeds

• Fresh mint leaves

• Lime juice

[Method]

For the marinade

1. Blend tamarind puree, chipotle, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, anchovy, brown sugar, lime juice, zest, and canola oil until smooth.

For the chicken

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit

2. Reserve ⅓ cup marinade, set aside

3. Pour the remainder of the marinade over the chicken, cover and refrigerate for at least one hour and up to one day

4. Heat grill pan or an outdoor grill at medium high heat

5. Grill the drumsticks on each side until you achieve pronounced grill marks, about 4 minutes each side

6. Place partially cooked chicken on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil

7. Bake chicken for 40 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit

8. Uncover the chicken, baste with reserved marinade, then bake for an additional 5-10 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit until the the sugars in the marinade caramelize and you a achieve a deeply golden brown color

9. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, mint, and lime juice, enjoy!