Bollywood Chicken Skewers With Spiced Yogurt Dip

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

Rub

• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons onions, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 2 teaspoons mustard seeds, black
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1-2 jalapeno, seeded and minced
• 1/4 cup parsley, fresh coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons mint, fresh coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro, fresh coarsely chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 tablespoon water

Spiced yogurt dip

• 1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt
• 1/3 teaspoon coriander, ground
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin, ground
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic, fresh minced
• 30 six- to eight- inch bamboo skewers, soaked in water 20 minutes before cooking

Garnish

• chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 lime, cut up into wedges

Directions

1. 1

   Cut the chicken into 1/2-by-4-inch strips; you shoulod have about 30 strips. Refrigerate in a large bowl until needed.

2. 2

   To make rub: Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a small nonstick skillet or saute pan over medium heat. Cook teh onion, uncovered, stirring ocasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until deep brown. Do not let the onion scorch. Add the garlic and cumin and mustard seeds and saute for 30 seconds. Do not brown the garlic.

3. 3

   Remove from the heat and mix in the lime juice, jalapeno, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper. Transfer the mixutre to a food processor (a small one is best) and , with the machine running, drizzle in the remaining 3 tablespoons oil and the water and process to a paste-like consistency.

4. 4

   Add the rub to the chicken strips adn mix well. Marinated, refrigerated, for at least 4 hours or preferable overnight.

5. 5

   Meanwhile, to make the spiced yogurt dip: Mix all the dip ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

6. 6

   When ready to cook the chicken, soak the bamboo skewers in water for at least 1 hour. Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill, or preheat a gas gril to medium-high. "Oil the grill. Threade the chicken on the skewers. Grill for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

7. 7

   Serve the skewers on a platter, with the yogurt dip in a small bowl in the center for guests to help themselves. Garnish with cilantro sprigs adn lime weges for squeezing.

8. 8

   TIP: You can also bake the chicken. Preheat and oven to 475 degress f. Spray 2 baking sheets with cooking spray or lightly oil them. Place the skewers, spaced apart, on the baking sheets, and bake for 8 to 10 mminutes, or until cooked through.