While enjoying a holiday at the luxury destination, Eiko Beach House guest at times find it difficult to drag the family(ies) from the beach, the heated swimming pool and the hot tub to go out to dinner.
This is despite the many of the terrific seafood, ethnic and steak restaurants within a short drive from the Treasure Island beach house. Along with being an acclaimed artist, Eiko is also an excellent chef. She has graciously agreed to release her secret to the famous Eiko’S Treasure Island BBQ Chicken.
Preparation
The first secret is to buy fresh or better still organic chicken from the nearby Publix or Winn Dixie grocery stores in Treasure Island or in Madeira Beach. Fresh ingredients are key to great BBQ.
Heat the grill
Next, cook as little as possible in the beach house and make this dish tastes great by using the charcoal grill.
Use a moderate amount of charcoal and let it heat up, around 30 minutes after igniting the fire. Wait for the coals to turn white at least by one third.
Rinse and season the chicken (skin on or off) with salt and pepper. Lubricate the grill with olive oil either directly or via an aerosol spray can.
Cooking
After applying the pieces of chicken to the grill, it’s important to keep the flames as low as possible and to avoid burning the outside while undercooking the meat.
This can be done by continuously turning the chicken but also by spraying water on the chicken when flames start flaring due to the fat dripping into the grill. Turn, grill, spray water and turn again.
Depending upon the size of the pieces this could take 20 minutes or more. Under no circumstances should you add BBQ sauce at this time. Cut the meat on one of the thicker pieces to make sure the inside is white, not pink, and the outside is dark, but not burnt.
Bon Appetit
About a minute or two prior to removing the chicken from the grill you can add BBQ sauce. Eiko uses her own recipe of olive oil, soy sauce with a clove of garlic.
By adding sauce at this late stage in the cooking process and by liberally spraying water when the flames of the grill flare up, you will have the perfect grilled chicken to enjoy at the Eiko’s Beach House.
Enjoy your dish, with grilled corn on the cob or grilled sweet potatoes for a tasty, healthy meal.
Our favourite location to eat grilled chicken is on the porch overlooking a colorful Florida sunset while we plan our evening activities at the Eiko’s Beach House. Whether it’s miniature golf, swimming or regenerating ourselves for tomorrow’s adventures.
