Cheating doesn’t mean just opening a bottle. As our provider of primo Tennessee hardwood and traveling philosopher, Jerry Elston, likes to remind us, sometimes you can’t get out of doing the work. Like most bottled barbecue sauces, Asian-style sauces are cheater easy and get the point across. But usually they taste overly sweet and empty, with little going for them besides sugar and soy. Here’s a brush-on honey lacquer for dry-rubbed chicken with real Asian flavor using pantry staples and some freshly grated ginger.

　　

Ingredients

makes 4 to 6 servings

　　3 pounds chicken leg/thigh quarters (about 4), trimmed of excess skin and fat

　　2 tablespoons Cheater Basic Dry Rub (page 45)

　　

For the Honey Lacquer

1/4 cup honey

　　1 tablespoon soy sauce

　　1 tablespoon ketchup

　　1 garlic clove, minced

　　1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

　　1 tablespoon rice vinegar

　　1 teaspoon dry mustard

　　2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted (see page 67)

　　

Step 1

PREHEAT the oven to 500°F.

　　

Step 2

PLACE the chicken in a roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle the dry rub on all sides.

　　

Step 3

PLACE the chicken in the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 400°F. Roast for 30 minutes.

　　

Step 4

While the chicken bakes, Combine all the ingredients for the Honey Lacquer in a small bowl.

　　

Step 5

REMOVE the chicken from the oven and brush with the Honey Lacquer. Return the chicken to the oven and roast for 10 minutes, until the lacquer sets. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

　　Cheater BBQ