Sunday, January 23, 2011

Nifty Nutmeg Chicken-From Grenada with love

nutmeg chicken wings 1

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.

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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.

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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.

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24 comments:

  1. I've seen nutmeg syrup but never realized it was made from the fruit and not flavored with the nut. I love nutmeg and Grenada so will try to find this locally, thanks Wizzy. And the wings look fantastic!

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  2. Nutmeg is one of my favourite spices ever but I've never really used it in savoury dishes nor did I know you could use the other part! I wonder if we can get the syrup here? Wizzy I'm intrigued! :)

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  3. Amazing looking wings. I must keep my eye open for this syrup.

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  4. i never realised it was from the fruit either! I love having this stuff - picked it up every time I go to Grenada. I like having a different syrup flavour, one that is so Caribbean :-) I add it to apples (or mangoes) when making crumble.

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  5. i've just learned more about nutmeg in this five-minute read than i knew in my previous 27 years of life. awesome. :)

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  6. These wings look delicious and I never would have thought to have nutmeg as a primary flavor ingredient. Nutmeg syrup is a big hard to come by around here but I will do my best as this photo has me dreaming of what this might taste like

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  7. Gorgeous photos Wiz.....glad to have you back. I love the mace covering over the nutmeg.I didn't even know there was any such fruit as nutmeg. I don't know where I thought it came from but WOW. Now you make me want to go to Grenada now...not Trini and Tobago as I planned!!!!!!!!! And thanks for your informative report ont he syrup's fragrance, thickness and taste!

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  8. Lovely shiny glaze on the chicken :)

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  9. I'm ashamed to say even though I know that nutmeg comes from a tree I had no clue it had an outer fruit. You learn something new everyday! These wings look awesome, sticky and gooey and simply delicious!

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  10. Well I can only think of about....a GAZILLION people who would love this! Saving the recipe for sure!

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  11. I don't eat chicken myself but I can already tell my boyfriend would love these beautiful flavorful chicken wings. Even I might lick at some of that delicious sauce!

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  12. My jaw dropped open... first that photo of the beautiful, golden chicken, and then the nutmeg! I had no idea it came from a fruit, or what it looked like! Thanks for sharing.

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  13. In Indonesia, we've made candied nutmeg from the nutmeg meat/flesh. It looks like candied ginger. We also make syrup to flavor drinks. Delish on a hot day.

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  14. I had never asked myself what nutmegs looked like until today! Merci for all this info. Never come across nutmeg syrup but unlike most people in the US, we French, eat nutmeg on savory dishes... so I am sure that I'll try this recipe one day!

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  15. Wow....I have to say I never thought of where nutmeg came from but I wasn't expecting to see that it comes from a fruit...I would love to try that syrup, I will be on the look out for it!
    Your chicken looks amazing, it must have been so very very good.
    Thanks so much for sharing your recipe and info with us!
    Dennis

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  16. The chicken with nutmeg syrup looks spectacular! We had this nutmeg syrup with banana pancakes when we were on a little island of Mustique that's close to Grenada. It was so good, i wish we could find it here. I've made my own but it wasn't quite the same :)

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  17. Love the idea of Nutmeg Syrup - I have never heard of it before. I bet wonderful paired with chicken!

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  18. hello wizzy You make me hungry with that dish !!!Pierre de Paris

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  19. I like the title of this post nifty nutmeg chicken.... keep saying it over and over and you'll see you'll start to sway as you say it. Come on, say it with me: nifty nutmeg chicken, nifty nutmeg chicken, nifty nutmeg chicken... (lol)

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  20. Your description of that syrup were just what I needed: I am going to see if I can order me a bottle asap! What a fascinating post and lovely dish and photos!

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  21. I so love nutmeg.Never seen it in raw form ever though I always use it in curries.Your chicken looks like dessert sticks with that beautiful red color.Love your recipe.

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  22. I didn´t know all this things about nutmeg! i just discovered your blog and absolutely love it! Beautiful pictures and yummy recipes!
    You have a new follower ;)

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