Roast chicken ideas

[lostkat]

Right, I have a lovely M&S Free Range chicken in the freezer which I bought on offer and am planning to cook for Sunday Dinner in a few weeks for my folks to say thanks for helping with the kitchen.

However, I have one problem. There are SO many nice recipes out there on what to smother it in or stuff it with that I really have no idea what to do. I know how to cook a chicken so don't need advice there, it's just what to put on/in it. I really can't decide.

It needs to go with all the ususal trimmings plus Yorkshire Puds (simply because I love them).

So... suggestions please? What are your best roast chicken ideas? I was thinking of something simple involving bacon or parma ham but I'm open to all ideas.

[Flibster]

Seperate the skin from the chook and smear garlic and rosemary butter between the skin and chicken. Roast as normal. Yum.

Also helps if you roast the chook upside down standing on something so you don't have to baste it.

Or, go for the classic combination of lemon and chicken with loads of steamed veg.

[lostkat]

I've also heard that roasting them upsidown on a rack towards the end keeps the juice in. Might read up on it. Don't want to sacrifice the beautiful crispy skin for anything

I like both of your suggestions. Simple, subtle flavours to compliment a delicious roast chicken. I could always stuff it with Lemon & Rosemary and then put the butter on as suggested. Stuffing will be cooked separately as I prefer mine with a crispy top.

[Glaucus]

Originally Posted by Flibster

Seperate the skin from the chook and smear garlic and rosemary butter between the skin and chicken. Roast as normal. Yum.

Also add some lemon zest to it.

Then make some apricot and sausage stuffing balls to go with it.

Apricot and bacon Stuffing
10 slices bacon, diced
2 pounds pork sausage meat
1/2 cup finely diced dried apricot.
2 large onions, chopped
1 tsp. dried sage leaves, crumbled
1 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 pound tart apples, cored and cut into 1/2" pieces
3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 eggs
3 slices of bread crumbs

Cook bacon until it just begins to brown, Crumble sausage meat in same pan
and cook till done. Add onions and apricots. Stir in sage, thyme, salt and pepper, then the
apples. Remove from heat, add parsley. Cook until apple just start to break down. Remove from heat and cool.
Add the breadcrumbs and eggs. Chill in the fridge for 20 mins. Roll into balls and roast in the oven for 30mins or until brown.

[Jonny69]

I like mine simple. Rub with duck fat, sprinkle with salt, roast and baste, done.