Nifty Nutmeg Chicken-From Grenada with love

Most people think of the seed when they think of nutmeg but did you know that lots can be done with the yellow, fleshy, outer fruit that covers the 'nut' of the nutmeg?

Image used with with kind permission of Jon Clarke

De La Granade Industries is a company in Grenada that uses the fruit of this famous seed to make Morne Délice syrup, jams, jellies and even a liqueur. In 2009, guess which product won Grand Gold medal?  That's right the Caribbean's very own Morne Délice syrup.

Image used under Creative Commons from Teesha Dunn

The Monde Selection institute was established by the government of Belgium in 1961 and it's goal is to help encourage and maintain high standards of beverages and foods. Each year experts subject products to rigorous laboratory tests in order to choose quality products of the highest standard. Monde Selection awards three categories of medals, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Above this, products of absolutely superior quality receive the Grand Gold Medal.

Frankly, given the proximity of the island of Grenada to Trinidad, I'm surprised that I'm could not find this readily available locally. However, it was absolute good fortune that Tracey, a friend returning home from Grenada for the holidays was able to bring me a bottle of Morne Délice syrup and jelly.

To my surprise neither product had that characteristic spicy nutmeg warmth. I was expecting a strong punch of nutmeg but instead found the flavour to be more of barely there perfume and quite delicate. Think crushed orange blossoms and rose peals that have been steeped in honey.

Were it possible I would mail a bottle of this ambrosia to all of you my loyal blog readers. Sadly, the best that I can do is assure you that it was divine on my morning oatmeal, yoghurt, pancakes, toast, and fruit. My one tiny complaint was that I found the syrup to be a bit on the thin side. I would prefer it to be thicker - a little less runny.

I  decided to test a recipe from  De La Granade Company's website. I have adapted it here because  I found that the quantity of syrup called for in the original recipe was too much. These wings are the perfect bite for family and friends at a party or in my case those of us who gather around the Wii on family game night.

Nifty Nutmeg Chicken

8 Chicken wings

1 Teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper sauce ( I added 1 tsp but it depends on your taste really)

1/4 cup grated onions

2 cloves garlic (crushed) 2 tablespoons cup soy sauce

1/4 cup Morne Délice Nutmeg Syrup

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

METHOD

Season chicken with salt, pepper, crushed garlic and onions.

Bake for 15 minutes at 400 F. In a small bowl mix the soy sauce, nutmeg syrup and ground ginger. Remove the chicken from the oven from oven, baste with Morne Délice soy syrup , ginger mixture. Lower oven temp to 350 F and continue baking for one hour basting frequently. Serve very hot.