Grilled Lobster With Yucatan Style Recado Spice Rub Food

WHISKY BBQ CHICKEN AND SECRET SPICE RUB

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Preheat a double burner grill pan to medium-high heat.
• To spatchcock a chicken, place the bird breast-side down on a cutting board with its wing tips facing up and away from you. Feel down the back of the bird to find the spine then, using poultry shears or kitchen scissors, cut up and along the spine on each side. Remove the backbone and discard or save it to flavor a chicken stock. Flip the bird over, breast-side up. Place your hands at the center of the breast and press down to crack breastbone and flatten the bird. Trim the wing tips and discard or save for stock as well.
• In a small skillet set over medium heat, toast the caraway, cumin, coriander and black pepper until fragrant. Transfer to a spice grinder and grind to a powder. Place the spices in a small mixing bowl and add the pimento, granulated garlic, granulated onion and 2 teaspoons salt.
• Shove half of the rub under the skin and sprinkle the remainder all over the outside. Be sure to wash your hands. Spray the bird well with cooking spray.
• Place the chicken skin-side down on the grill pan to mark it, and then flip it. Place the chicken on a rack set over a baking sheet and bake until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F, 30 to 40 minutes. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, baste the chicken with half of the Whisky BBQ Sauce. (Place the other half of sauce in a bowl and pass at the table.) Remove from oven, let cool for 5 to 10 minutes and cut into pieces. Garnish with scallions. Serve with the Ranch Slaw.
• While the chicken is in the oven, make the Whisky BBQ Sauce. Place a small to medium pot over medium heat and add the oil. Add the garlic and onions, and cook until fragrant and translucent. Add the chicken stock, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, hot sauce, bourbon and tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer and reduce to thicken, about 30 minutes.
• In a medium mixing bowl, stir together buttermilk, sour cream, chives, dill, parsley, sugar, white wine vinegar, celery salt, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic, lemon juice and adjust the flavor if needed. Add carrots, cabbage and red onions. Stir to combine and let hang out for flavors to come together. Set aside.

SPICE RUB

Steps:

• Add the ancho chile powder, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, cayenne and black pepper to a medium bowl and slowly whisk until thoroughly combined. Scoop the blended mixture into a jar and top with a tight-fitting lid. The spice rub will keep at room temperature in a dark place (like your cabinet) for up to 1 year.

PORK MIMI'S WAY, YUCATAN STYLE: COCHINITA PIBIL

Steps:

• Prepare marinade with the orange juice, vinegar, achiote, garlic, and salt, to taste, and mix thoroughly. Rub the mixture into the meat and marinate at room temperature for 1 hour, or refrigerated, for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
• Line a roaster pan with heavy foil and arrange the marinated pork in it, covering the meat with the marinade. Cover pan with foil tightly and bake for 2 to 3 hours. Check often and turn pieces of meat in their own juices. Roasting times vary according to the toughness of the meat.
• Chop meat into cubes and discard any fatty parts. Serve with a basket of freshly made corn tortillas.

SPICE RUB

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients. Store in an air-tight container until ready for use.

BBQ SPICE RUB

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine all the ingredients. Mix well to break up any lumps. (Optional: Use a food processor.) Keeps in a covered container at room temperature for several months. Before each use, stir the rub to re-distribute all the ingredients evenly. Makes about 4 cups.

YUCATECAN -STYLE GRILLED MAHI-MAHI

Steps:

• Place fish in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Whisk achiote paste and next 7 ingredients in medium bowl. Pour achiote mixture over fish; turn to coat. Cover and chill 1 hour.
• Prepare barbecue (high heat). Brush shiny side of banana leaves with 2 tablespoons oil; place each on baking sheet, oiled side down (some of leaf will hang over edge of sheet). Arrange 2 fillets with marinade still clinging crosswise in center of each banana leaf, spacing 2 inches apart. Drizzle wine around fish in leaves. Top each fillet with 1 bay leaf and 1 sprig of fresh epazote or parsley or 1 pinch of dried epazote. Fold overhanging edges of banana leaf over fish to enclose loosely. Transfer fish from baking sheet to grill, folded edges up. Cover and grill until fillets are just opaque in center, about 10 minutes.
• Open banana leaves. Transfer fish to plates. Garnish with tomato and lime slices. Serve with Yucatecan Pickled Onions and Habanero-Tomato Salsa.

TRADITIONAL ACHIOTE RECADO

Steps:

• In a small saucepan bring water and achiote seeds to a boil. Cook seeds, covered, at a bare simmer 30 minutes and remove from heat. (Steep seeds 2 hours, or until softened.)
• Heat a dry comal or flat iron griddle over moderately low heat until hot and pan-roast garlic and onion, turning them occasionally to ensure even roasting, until browned and soft throughout, 25 to 30 minutes. Discard garlic skins.
• In a small heavy skillet dry-roast oregano over moderate heat, shaking skillet occasionally, until fragrant and beginning to brown, about 2 minutes and transfer to a small bowl. Cool oregano completely and in an electric coffee/spice grinder grind fine.
• Drain seeds and in a blender or food processor blend with garlic, onion, oregano, and remaining ingredients until smooth. (Recado may be made 5 days ahead and chilled and covered.)