Thai Chicken Saté

Here’s another take on saté, this time with chicken marinated in curried coconut milk and teamed with pickled cucumbers. The creamy peanut sauce is kicked up with jalapeño.

PREP: 45 minutes      GRILL: 5 to 8 minutes

MAKES: 6 appetizer servings

1 English (seedless) cucumber, thinly sliced crosswise

1½ teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon Thai green curry paste

¼ cup plus cup well-stirred unsweetened coconut milk (not cream of coconut)

4 medium skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 1¼ pounds total), each cut diagonally into 6 strips

¼ cup creamy peanut butter

2 teaspoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon packed dark brown sugar

teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)

1 tablespoon hot water

¼ cup rice vinegar

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 medium shallots, thinly sliced

1 jalapeño chile, seeded and minced

12 (12-inch) metal skewers

1. In medium bowl, toss cucumber with salt; let stand 30 minutes at room temperature.

2. In another bowl, stir together curry paste and ¼ cup coconut milk until blended. Add chicken and turn to coat. Let stand 15 minutes at room temperature, stirring occasionally.

3. Prepare outdoor grill for direct grilling over medium heat.

4. Meanwhile, prepare peanut sauce: In small bowl, with wire whisk, mix peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, ground red pepper, remaining cup coconut milk, and hot water until blended and smooth. Transfer sauce to serving bowl. Makes about cup.

5. Drain cucumber, discarding liquid in bowl. Pat cucumber dry with paper towels. Return cucumber to bowl; stir in vinegar, granulated sugar, shallots, and jalapeño; cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

6. Thread 2 chicken strips, accordion-style, on each of 12 metal skewers; discard marinade. Place skewers on hot grill rack. Cover grill and cook, turning skewers once, just until chicken loses its pink color throughout, 5 to 8 minutes.

7. Arrange skewers on platter. Serve with peanut sauce and cucumbers.

EACH SERVING CHICKEN:About 175 calories, 23g protein, 10g carbohydrate, 4g total fat (2g saturated), 60mg cholesterol, 350mg sodium

EACH 1 TABLESPOON PEANUT SAUCE: About 50 calories, 2g protein, 2g carbohydrate, 5g total fat (2g saturated), 0mg cholesterol, 90mg sodium