The Cause of Charred Chicken

Anthony Up North

In reading yesterday's posts there was an exchange about chicken turning dark brown/black after basting it with a honey mixture. Sorry I am late and maybe this has been settled. If it has just disregard my two cents worth on the topic.[p]Any mixture with a lot of sugar in it, like honey or molasses, will carmelize when exposed to high heat. (Gretl I think said she suspected that.) The dictionary definition for caramel is: Burnt sugar, used for coloring and sweetening foods.[p]I've had the same experience once long ago. My wife who used to teach food chemistry knew immediately what I had done wrong. Reduce the sugar and add oil like olive oil to reduce the problem, she said. [p]Hope this helps even though it is rather late.[p]Anthony