Quince-Glazed Chicken Fillet Skewers

Membrillo, or Spanish quince paste, is a wonderful product to keep in the pantry. It’s traditionally served with cheese, but I can easily think of dozens of other ways to use it, from making marinades to martinis – it really is versatile. This quick and very delicious glaze for chicken is, well, just a bit different. Skewered, served with salad or stuffed into bread, the chicken is great however you serve it.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces membrillo

• 1/2 cup good-quality apple juice (preferably unfiltered)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for frying

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon ground ginger

• 14 ounces chicken tenders or chicken breast cut into 1-inch-thick strips

• Flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Sirocco

Directions

To make the glaze mixture, put the membrillo, apple juice, olive oil and spices into a medium-sized bowl, season generously with salt and pepper and mix well until the membrillo is broken down and the mixture is smooth. Mix in the chicken strips, then cover with plastic wrap and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (although you can fry the strips immediately if you don’t have time to marinate).

Heat a large skillet over medium heat, drizzle in enough oil to coat the base of the pan, and, using tongs, place the marinated chicken strips into the pan (not too close together) and fry them for a few minutes on each side until nicely browned all over and cooked through. As the glaze contains sugar, the chicken may blacken somewhat as the sugar caramelizes, but that is OK.

Once cooked, pierce with skewers and serve.