Finger Licking Delicious.
Sweet and Sour
Chicken Roast
with potatoes and carrots
Look what I made...another Chicken Roast...but, not just any roast...or by just any regular cooking method.
I'm so excited to share my latest Chicken Roast experiment.
I truly believe to have made my very best sweet and sour tasting roast ever.
Hubby must have muttered a few times...how tasty it was...
and how this one was 'THE' one who beat all the other contenders.
Was it the blend of ingredients...
the love and patience I put into it...
or the slow-cooking technique?It must have been a little from all of the above?!?
After having licked my last finger...(sorry for the vision...
but this was really too good for me to be polite at this stage)...
to make sure I wouldn't forget...I quickly jotted down everything I did.
This was definitely going to be a repeat.
So, how did my moment of glory come to be.
Let me backtrack a little.
A few evenings ago, I was honestly ragged from my day.
Thinking..."great, I bought a whole chicken...
now what? Do I freeze it for another day? "
now what? Do I freeze it for another day? "
Not really a fan of doing that sort of thing...
especially considering it would take practically 2 more
days to get it to thaw in the fridge.
especially considering it would take practically 2 more
days to get it to thaw in the fridge.
My mind was going back and forth
on the decision of whether to
just stuff it in a pot
and make my very tasty
chicken tomato soup...
or would I suck it up...
get myself psyched and just roast that bird.
get myself psyched and just roast that bird.
In addition...
I did have some potatoes and carrots that were on the verge of calling it quits.
Alright...I finally convinced myself.
All the elements were in place.
Supper was going to be had much later since Hubby informed me...
of his slight over-time, hence, more time to get things done.
I just would never have imagined that of all suppers...
this one, was going to be the one!
What is it they say about the unexpected happening
when you least see it coming?
when you least see it coming?
It came alright... a chicken that
yielded juicy, evenly cooked meat.
yielded juicy, evenly cooked meat.
Life is full of surprises.
Success...slam dunk!
I have made a few chicken roasts which have
mostly turned out fairly tasty...
however, there was always something I felt need improving.
I searched and tried many of the very popular recipes
venting themselves as the best ' chicken roast recipes '.
Somehow, I always felt it was never tender enough
nor quite up to my taste bud standards.
Before sharing this wonderful recipe...
I think I should explain about the cooking technique I used in order to
capture the flavours and how it rendered the meat so incredibly tender.
The meat was falling off the bones...
just like when I make chicken soup.
I decided I was going to use a combo cooking style of:
' poaching ' and ' roasting ' all done in the oven.
I also went with three varied descending oven temperatures.
I also went with three varied descending oven temperatures.
I was taking a chance on this one...
I don't really know what got into me to think of doing it this way...
I'm not complaining. I guess my genius was subconsciously at work...
and " Holy Chickens "... she really turned out finger licking delicious.
Here’s just a few notes before detailing the following recipe.
. About the size of the chicken: I bought a regular 3lb (1.5kg) enough for two people with just a little left over for a sandwich or salad. The usual rule of thumb is 1 lb per person. I realize most recipes usually call for 3-4 lb., hence, you'll need to adjust your cooking time...give or take 15-30 minutes.
. Size and kind of dish: To properly fit the chicken along with the veggies...you'll need to adjust the size of the heat- proof casserole dish. I used a deep (heat-proof) oval 'corning ware' dish with a cover. Any 'Dutch oven' * pot of good quality will do fine.
. Size and kind of dish: To properly fit the chicken along with the veggies...you'll need to adjust the size of the heat- proof casserole dish. I used a deep (heat-proof) oval 'corning ware' dish with a cover. Any 'Dutch oven' * pot of good quality will do fine.
. I also used a blender to put most of my ingredients together so that the sauce would be smoothly mixed. However this step is not absolutely necessary.
* If using a 'Dutch oven' style enamel pot like a 'Le Creuset' for example:
You should keep in mind that the heat generated by a 'Dutch oven' style pot will cook your meal faster due to its capacity of retaining heat much more than a glass pot like a 'Corning ware' style dish. Therefore please adjust this recipe by shaving down approx. 6-10 minutes off EACH stage of the cooking process. You'll have to maybe do a little experimenting of you own on this one. Nonetheless...I'm sure the results will be close enough to relish this scrumptious chicken roast.
SWEET n SOUR
finger licking delicious
CHICKEN roast
with Potatoes and Carrots
Cooking time: about 2hrs.
serves 2 persons +
Equipment: Heat-proof dish with lid...' Dutch oven ' * style pot
INGREDIENTS:
(American / Metric measures)
. 1 whole Chicken (about 3lb /1.5kg.)
...MARINADE liquid:
. 1/4 cup (50ml) apricot or peach jam
. 1/8 cup (25ml) Ketchup sauce
. 1/8 cup (25ml) frozen orange concentrate
. 1/8 cup (25g) grated fresh ginger root
. 1/2 cup (20g) flat parsley leaves
. 1-1/2 cup (360ml) water
...SEASONING:
. 1-1/2 tsps. sea salt, divide to place half in cavity
. 1 Tsp. (5ml) granulated garlic powder
. 1/2 Tsp. (2.5ml) each:
dried...basil, oregano, rosemary, sage and tarragon
...VEGETABLES as side dish:
. 4 medium potatoes
. 2 large carrots
PREPARATION:
. Pre-heat the oven at 425F/220C/Gas7
. Position the oven rack at the bottom level
. Use a very large heat-proof dish with cover.
. Use a very large heat-proof dish with cover.
1. In a blender...mix all the ingredients (except side vegetables) together and set aside.
2. Peel and slice the vegetables in reasonably medium sized pieces. Place and spread them throughout the perimeter of the heat-proof dish.
3. Fill the chicken cavity with half the salt. Then, place the chicken breast side DOWN, with wings tucked under and into the middle of the dish.
4. Pour the LIQUID mix slowly over the chicken and vegetables.
5. Place the dish with lid cover and into the oven.
6. Begin the cooking process at 425F/220C/Gas7 for the first 30 minutes.
7. Take the chicken out to turn it around in order to finish with the breast side UP. Take this opportunity to toss the vegetables around in the juice and pour some liquid over the chicken.
8.Turn down the oven heat to 350F/180C/Gas4. Put the chicken back with the cover into the oven for another 45 minutes.
9. Then, again, for another 45 minutes...lower the heat to 300F/150C/Gas2 and take the cover off so that some of the juices can evaporate and the chicken will get its golden crispy glow.
. Basically, when you're coming towards the end of the cooking time...slowly test if the chicken leg slightly detaches itself. This is a very good indication of doneness and tenderness.
. Take it out of the oven...and serve right away.
2. Peel and slice the vegetables in reasonably medium sized pieces. Place and spread them throughout the perimeter of the heat-proof dish.
3. Fill the chicken cavity with half the salt. Then, place the chicken breast side DOWN, with wings tucked under and into the middle of the dish.
4. Pour the LIQUID mix slowly over the chicken and vegetables.
5. Place the dish with lid cover and into the oven.
6. Begin the cooking process at 425F/220C/Gas7 for the first 30 minutes.
7. Take the chicken out to turn it around in order to finish with the breast side UP. Take this opportunity to toss the vegetables around in the juice and pour some liquid over the chicken.
8.Turn down the oven heat to 350F/180C/Gas4. Put the chicken back with the cover into the oven for another 45 minutes.
9. Then, again, for another 45 minutes...lower the heat to 300F/150C/Gas2 and take the cover off so that some of the juices can evaporate and the chicken will get its golden crispy glow.
. Basically, when you're coming towards the end of the cooking time...slowly test if the chicken leg slightly detaches itself. This is a very good indication of doneness and tenderness.
. Take it out of the oven...and serve right away.
Take it out of the oven and serve right away.
Admittedly, due to the variations of cooking temperature...
the chicken may be in the oven a little longer than you're used to.
I promise, the results are well worth your patience.
Enjoy your meal and flavourful wishes,
Foodessa
Comments ... ??? ... or suggestions ... write me :o)
Claudia at: foodessa [at] gmail [dot] com
Go HERE for more SAVOURY creations.
Please take note on how I bake and cook...
Here’s a 101 of sorts to make sure that there are no disappointments when trying my creations.
Also...just so you know...feel free to increase the salt and sweet factor since I'm not high on either of them ;o)
. Use DRY cup measurements for...you guessed it...all DRY ingredients.
Anything DRY gets measured by spooning the overfilled ingredient (never shake the cup) and then level off with a flat edged tool. Exception...Brown sugar should be packed in and leveled.
. Use LIQUID cup measurements for...all LIQUIDS that cannot be leveled like for example butter, yogurt...etc. Measure the liquids at eye level to avoid overdoing what the recipe truly needs.
. OVENS are unfortunately not created equal. Mine is so old that it has reached many degrees off it's norm. It's really worth investing a few dollars to test yours with an appropriate oven thermometer. You'd be surprised how many ovens I've heard about not being where they should have been. Before you lose any more ingredients and much time preparing a new recipe...run to the store...you'll thank me later.
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