Johnny Jalapeno's Grilled Firesticks

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (or parsley, use just 1 tbsp for dried herbs)
• 1 teaspoon dried mint
• 1 -2 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano leaves
• 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
• 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cubed (or lamb tenderloin or steak)
• 2 tablespoons fiery spice blend seasoning
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 wooden skewers
• 6 jalapeno peppers, seeded and quartered
• 1 small onion, peeled and quartered
• 1 fresh pineapple, cubed (optional)

Recipe

• 1 sauce: place all ingredients in a food processor and blend well. season with salt and pepper to taste. cover and refrigerate until needed.
• 2 fiery spice blend: mix all ingredients and keep in an airtight container.
• 3 chicken: in a medium bowl (or ziploc bag), mix chicken pieces with chicken ingredients listed. toss to coat, cover and refrigerate 2-24 hours.
• 4 meanwhile, place the quartered jalapenos and cubed onion in a little olive oil to soak. toss together with some salt & pepper and set aside. you can leave them loosely covered on the counter.
• 5 soak wood skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. remove the jalapenos and onion from the oil, shaking off excess. reserve the oil for the grill.
• 6 to the skewers, place a piece of chicken, then a jalapeno, then a cubed layer of the onion (then pineapple chunks if using). repeat to fill up skewers.
• 7 brush grill rack with reserved oil and then place skewers onto the grill about 4-6 inches away from coals and cook for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally and brushing with any remaining oil, until chicken is cooked through. serve with sauce.