CRISPY Lemon Rosemary Roast Chicken

Hello friends!  It feels good to be back in Blog Land after being AWOL for an entire year! I've really missed this space and the connections I made on here with so many of you.  I hope you're happy to see me, too!

I made this CRISPY lemon rosemary roast chicken for dinner last night and was inspired to write this post when a friend asked me for the recipe.  This meal is a favourite at our house, especially on chilly autumn evenings.  It really hits the spot!

Ingredients

1 whole chicken 

course salt

fresh ground black pepper

1 lemon, cut in quarters

1 bunch of fresh rosemary sprigs 

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (for brushing)

1 - 2 cups of chicken broth

assorted vegetables (I used cubed potatoes, butternut squash and carrots)

fresh rosemary and thyme leaves

Directions

In order to achieve the crispiest results, the skin of your chicken should be completely dry before you begin.  I suggest wiping it all over with paper towels until any visible moisture is gone. If you have the time, place the fully dry chicken in your fridge, on a plate without any wrapping or covering and let it sit there for an hour or two.  This helps the skin dry even further, hence producing an even crispier skin.  The drier the skin, the crispier the chicken will be.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Sprinkle coarse salt and black pepper into the chicken cavity, as well as a handful of fresh rosemary sprigs and lemon quarters.  

Place your chicken, breast side down on a roasting pan and brush the skin all over with olive oil. Sprinkle with coarse salt and black pepper.  Now flip the chicken, breast side up and repeat the same step (brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper).

Your chicken is now ready for the oven.  Place the roasting pan in the center rack of your oven at the preheated temperature of 375 degrees Farenheit.  

I roasted my 3 pound chicken for 2 hours.  Adjust cooking time (more or less) depending on the size of your chicken.

After 30 minutes in the oven, add approximately 1-2 cups chicken broth to your pan, enough to cover the base of your pan.  I used approximately 1 cup, but you can add more if you like. 

With 45 - 60 minutes left on your cooking time, add the cubed potatoes, butternut squash, and carrots to your pan.  You don't want to add them too soon, as they will overcook and fall apart by the time your chicken is ready.  

At this point, check to see if you need to add more chicken broth or not. You want your vegetables to be sitting in the broth, but not fully immersed. Sprinkle a little salt to taste over the vegetables if you wish, as well as fresh chopped rosemary and thyme leaves. 

Allow the chicken and vegetables to roast until the chicken is done.

I added steamed broccoli and cauliflower to the pan once my chicken was done.  This is optional, if you like.  

Now gather around the table and enjoy!  Bon Appetit! 

Quick and Easy Cornbread

I am always on the lookout for food and baking inspiration, so last week I came across a recipe in an old Better Homes and Gardens publication that intrigued me.  The recipe was for cast-iron skillet cornbread.  I had never made cornbread before.  The ingredients were really basic and the method so simple, I decided to give it a go, and I'm so glad I did!  Who would have thought that homemade cornbread could be this simple!  I feel like I have to tell the world now and want to share this terrific recipe with you. The good news is that you don't necessarily need a cast-iron skillet.  I actually baked the cornbread twice this past week - the first time, in a cast-iron skillet and the second time, in a 10 inch pie dish. To be honest, I preferred the cornbread baked in the pie dish!  

 

Ingredients 

2 1/4 cups cornmeal 

2 cups buttermilk

1/4 cup of butter, cut into small pieces

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt  *if you use salted butter, omit the salt

Directions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place a 10 inch round pie pan or cast iron skillet in the oven for a few minutes to heat through.  Meanwhile, whisk together the cornmeal and buttermilk in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Add butter and oil to the hot pan and brush the interior with it.  Now pour the butter mixture into the cornmeal mixture in the medium bowl.
• Add beaten eggs, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Mix with a wooden spoon until well combined. Pour the batter into the hot pan.  
• Bake for approximately 15-25 minutes, depending on the type of pan you are using.  A cast iron skillet will bake quicker than a pie pan will.  To check that it's cooked through, insert a wooden toothpick in the center.  If it comes out clean, then the cornbread is done!  Allow to cool for several minutes before slicing.  Can be served warm or cold, but warm tastes best, slathered in butter, of course! 

Here's a slice of the cornbread I made using my ceramic pie dish.  I served it with chili just the other night.

Leftovers can be sliced and wrapped in plastic wrap to maintain freshness and can stay out for a couple of days this way.  You can reheat each individual slice in the microwave or oven as needed.

I am actually going to be baking another one of these this weekend to take to my parents' house for our annual Thanksgiving dinner.  I look forward to gathering with my family and enjoying some delicious food, especially my mom's turkey and stuffing!   

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends (near and far) celebrating the holiday this weekend.  Much love and blessings. xoxo  

Almost Fall and Easy Weeknight Chili

The official start of fall is only three days away, and you don't need a calendar to tell you that, either. The signs are everywhere now.  Leaves are starting to change color, the air is crisp, chrysanthemums of every hue are blooming, and pumpkins are popping up all over the place!  

Every change of season brings with it new inspiration for my home cooking.  One of my favorite meals to prepare when the weather gets chilly, is chili!  It's one of my favorite comfort foods.  I have been making variations of this chili for my family for several years now, experimenting with different ingredients and seasonings; always trying to improve it.  I made this chili last night.  Here is my recipe...

Easy Weeknight Chili (serves 4)

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 onion, diced (approx. 1/2 cup)

1/2 green bell pepper, diced (approx. 1/2 cup)

1/2 red bell pepper, diced (approx. 1/2 cup)

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup diced tomato (fresh or canned)

2 cups strained tomatoes

3/4 cup water

3 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp ground cumin

1 1/2 tsp salt 

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 can red kidney beans, drained (approx. 2 cups)

*you can use your favorite beans (black, pinto, kidney, or an assortment)

Optional: cilantro, sour cream, and grated cheddar cheese for garnish

Directions

In a large skillet, over medium high heat, cook the ground beef until it is browned. 

Drain the fat and set it aside.

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat and saute onion, bell peppers and garlic until onion is translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes.  Stir in diced tomatoes.

Stir in the browned ground beef, strained tomatoes, water, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.

Cook over medium high heat until the sauce begins to boil.  Bring the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes; with the lid on; stirring every so often.  

Stir the beans into the sauce.  Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. 

Garnish each bowl with chopped cilantro, a dollop of sour cream and grated cheddar cheese.

Mmm!  It was delicious and really hit the spot!

I will leave you with a photo I took this morning, out in my backyard, before dawn.  It is of the dazzling full harvest moon.  Isn't it magical?  

As always, I love to hear from you and appreciate all of your comments!

Happy Thursday and almost-fall!