A twist on Thanksgiving, make a chicken in less than hour adapted from the Zune Cafe Cookbook by Judy Rodgers
Prep Time1 hourhr
Cook Time1 hourhr
Total Time2 hourshrs
Course: Entree
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Author: Angela Roberts
Ingredients
Roast Chicken
1 4-poundorganic chicken
salt
fresh herbs such as rosemarysage, thyme (I used all three)
Bread Salad
8oz.Tuscan bread or similar peasant style chewy bread with crusts cut offtorn in pieces
salt freshly ground pepper
6tablespoonsolive oil
2tablespoonschampagne vinegaror white vinegar
2tablespoonspine nuts or pecansor nuts of choice
1/2pomegranateoptional
1tablespoongolden raisins or dried currants
arugula or other green such as frisee
1tablespoonred wine vinegar or as needed
3tablespoonschicken broth or lightly salted water
1/4cupslivered scallions
2-3garlic cloves
Instructions
Three days in advance (can be less) clean chicken, salt inside and outside. Loosen skin between breast and as much as leg and thigh you can without ripping skin.
Wrap loosely in plastic wrap or plastic bag. Refrigerate.
Take chicken out one hour before roasting.Stuff chicken with herbs underneath the skin.
Preheat oven to 450 F. If making the bread salad, now is a good time to toast the torn bread pieces.
Heat a cast iron frying pan in oven for at least 10 minutes. You can use a baking sheet, but cast iron pan is perfect for this high heat.
Put chicken in heated pan, breast side up.
Turn chicken over after 25 minutes, at which time chicken should easily yield. If not cook a little longer.
I like to turn the chicken back over for the last five minutes. Chicken should be golden brown. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before carving.
Bread Salad
This can be made prepped while chicken is in the oven.
Brush bread with olive oil. Toast bread and nuts until golden, about 5 minutes.
Combine olive oil with champagne vinegar.
Put currants or raisins in red wine vinegar to moisten. Set aside.
When ready to assemble toss bread and arugula with olive oil mixture.
Toss bread with olive oil mixture.
Saute scallions and garlic in a little olive oil. Add currents or raisins and add to the bread salad.
Drizzle some of the pan juices (from the chicken) onto the bread salad. Season with salt.
Put chicken on platter with bread salad.
Serve with optional pomegranate garnish, and roasted squash.