The Aussies may love their shrimp on the barbie.

But we Americans can't get enough of chicken on the grill.

After all, it's economical, versatile and always a crowd-pleaser.

Especially when it's tender, moist and flavored with a fragrant Thai paste like this one from "Steven Raichlen's Planet Barbecue!" (Workman Publishing) by that master of the grill, Steven Raichlen.

You marinate a quartered chicken (we used chicken thighs) with a paste of garlic, fresh ginger, lenongrass, cilantro, sugar, pepper, soy sauce and curry powder. Raichlen says to use a mortar and pestle, but a food processor will make easy work of it even quicker. Let the paste do its magic on the chicken for at least four hours in the fridge or overnight.

Click here for the recipe and to learn more about this southern Thailand-style recipe.