Fennel-Garlic Grilled Chicken Legs

This week has been a slurry of ups and downs.  School has been hectic.  Work has been insane (September 1st marking the 1st day that people should start getting flu shots - p.s. go get one!).  And I'm just so undoubtedly happy that it's Friday.  For one, I've got the entire weekend off now!  (I was supposed to work on Monday, but somebody picked up my shift - hey, I get paid anyway, so I had to jump on that!) 

And tonight is Trolley Hop Friday in Louisville. What is Trolly Hop, you ask?  Well, it occurs on the first Friday of every month and it's basically a reason to go out and check out local shops, eat, and check out local art galleries on Market St. (A main cross-section through downtown!)  Of course, I'll be going for the food, which we've got group reservations at 732 Social, which we've been wanting to try since it opened up last year.  Their menu is all farm-fresh, local ingredients, and it's always changing due to what's in season.  And I love that about a restaurant, so I'm extremely excited about going.  And they have a good drink selection (or so I'm told)... and after the week I've had, I definitely need one!

This weekend is also World Fest, which is sponsored by Louisville Metro.  It basically showcases the diversity that Louisville and Kentucky have. (yeah, I know what you're thinking... Kentucky = rednecks, how diverse could it be?)  But you'd be surprised at how extreme the diversity is in my little mid-western neck of the woods!  So there's plenty of international events (even a large Naturalization Ceremony, which I think is really cool!), international music, and my personal favorite part of it all... all of the ethnic/international restaurants in town will be showcasing their food!  Yeah... you had to have known that there would be food going on! 

So hopefully Monday I'll have great pictures of how (hopefully) good the long weekend turned out to be! 

This grilled chicken was simple, flavorful, and definitely pleases a crowd!  Serve with simple vegetables like carrots and brussels sprouts and you'll have yourself a great meal in no time!

Ingredients:
Adapted from a Food & Wine recipe

2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon fennel seed
3/4 teaspoon oregano
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
salt and pepper to taste
1 & 1/2 teaspoons olive oil, plus more for brushing
4-5 whole chicken legs

For Gravy (optional):
1 cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon butter

In a small bowl, combine the garlic, fennel, oregano, red pepper, and salt.  Add in olive oil.  Stir and seaons with salt and pepper to taste.

Make 2 diagonal slits on each side of each chicken leg.  You want to cut almost to the bone so that the spices can get in those crevices. 

Rub the garlic-fennel "paste" on each chicken leg and set in shallow glass dish.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Light a charcoal grill under medium high heat.  Brush chicken with olive oil and grill over indirect heat, covered, for about 25 minutes, turning once or twice, or until chicken is white throughout.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt butter under medium high heat.  Stir in flour and let slightly brown, about 1 minute.  Slowly add chicken stock and simmer until you get a desired thickness.  Set aside.

Top chicken legs with gravy (if desired) and serve with fresh vegetables and dig on in!  Enjoy!

Everybody have a great Labor Day!!!