Silly, right? Roasting a chicken is probably the easiest thing ever, but it looks like you spent all day cooking in a tiny little apron with high heels on. (This is a myth kind of along the same lines as "all girls have pillow fights in their panties....." Just go with it. Don't break his heart.... yet.)
So, since I have been bundled up in 17 layers of sweatpants, scarves, and ski jackets for the past week, I figured a romantic dinner for two (plus a cute pound puppy) probably wouldn't hurt.
looks like date night.
really looks like date night.
(this bottle of wine is dedicated to Ollie.)
Roasted Chicken:
Chicken (4-5 pounds)
Celery
Onion
Carrots
Garlic
Fresh sage
Fresh thyme
Salt and pepper
Sweet potatoes
White wine
Water
Oil/ butter
Cute boy
Method:
Prepare a mirapoix of diced carrots, onions, and celery. I used one onion, about 5 stalks of celery and 5 carrots. Set aside.
Prepare chicken. Pull out all of the gross parts (ugh) and stuff with a little mirapoix, a few cloves of garlic, and the fresh sage and thyme.
Usually I would truss the chicken here, but I am blessed with a mother who doesn't necessarily know what trussing means and has no use for bakers twine in her coastal kitchen. (Love you mom, don't be mad at me for making fun of you.)
Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large pan over medium- high heat. Sear chicken on all sides until skin is brown and crispy.
Remove chicken from heat and set aside. Add remaining mirapoix to the same pan and saute for a couple of minutes until vegetables are just beginning to cook. Transfer veggies to an oven safe dish and place the chicken on top. Pour a good amount of white wine over the chicken until the veggies are just covered underneath. I also add a little water. Place sweet potatoes around chicken and place in a 400 degree oven.
The chicken should take about an hour to cook...... leaving you with plenty of time to go and fool around with the handsome boy sitting in front of the fire place.
Note: A rainy evening, a cozy fire place by the beach, and a cute boy (with minimal clothing) can heat things up pretty quickly. So, if you get "distracted" and forget that you are roasting a chicken (which I almost did) you will end up with a charred bird and a starving, but very satisfied boyfriend.... in that case I can promise some heat, but assume no liability for fires. K, thanks.
After an hour or so, pull chicken out of the oven when it reaches about 155- 160 degrees. The safe temperature for poultry is 165 degrees, but I pull mine out early to account for carry over cooking. I also took my chicken out of the oven about half way through the cooking process and basted it with the pan juices. Let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before serving.... giving you ample time to pull yourself back together----comb your hair, make sure all articles of clothing are accounted for, and a little lip gloss never hurts. Set the table like a lady (please reference "like a lady" post) and top off wine glasses.
This dinner is also so healthy that a sundae for two is completely forgivable.
hot fudge, duh.
after a couple (several) glasses of wine.....
totally acceptable to spoil the puppy with table scraps.
mmmmm. goodnight.
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