Lemon Rosemary Roast Chicken

Whole chickens used to intimidate me. I was afraid of dealing witht the whole bird and afraid I wouldn't be able to cook it through without drying it out. As a result, every time they go on sale I grab a few and practice with a nice Sunday dinner. This week's was perfectly moist with a golden brown skin and tons of flavor to boot (I adapted some tips from this month's Bon Appetit for simple roast chicken and then flavored up). I hope you'll give it a try (or I'll call you chicken!).

Lemon Rosemary Roast Chicken

1 3 1/2 pound chicken

3 tablespoons butter, melted, divided

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 lemon, zested and halved

Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 475 degrees and place a rack in the top third of the oven. Spray a wire rack and place inside of a roasting pan. Place your chicken on the rack and gently press your fingers to loosen the skin as far as you can go in.

Combine 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, rosemary, garlic, lemon zest and salt and pepper. Rub all over the chicken, making sure to get under skin as well. Place chicken, breast side up, on the rack in the oven and cook for 30 minutes.

Remove chicken from oven and reduce heat to 350 degrees. Let sit about 15 minutes. Brush with some of the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter and put back in oven. Roast about 40-45 minutes, brusing with melted butter occasionally, until breast meat registers at 165 degrees. Let rest 15 minutes, then carve.

Mustard Giblet Gravy
Adapted from Simply Recipes

1 1/2 tablespoons butter

1 chicken neck

1 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 chicken liver

4 1/2 cups water

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon dried thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons reserved roasted chicken drippings

2 1/2 tablespoons flour

1 1/2 tablespoons dijon mustard

Melt butter in a medium sauce pan. Add neck and brown on all sides. Stir in onion and garlic and saute a couple of minutes. Add liver, water, bay leaf, thyme and salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Partially cover and simmer until chicken is about done. Strain the solids through a fine mesh sieve, reserving broth. Grab liver from the strained solids and finely dice.

Since my roasting pan is strangely shaped, I chose to make the gravy in the saucepan I created the broth in, but either pan would work. Star by warming drippings, then whisk in flour and cook about 30 minutes, whisking throughout. Stir in diced giblets and cook about 30 seconds. Then whisk in chicken broth (about 3 cups) and let thicken, stirring occasionally, 4-5 minutes. Add mustard and stir, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Roast Chicken and Pickled Blueberries

Pickled blueberries. I wish I could say I was clever enough to think up - or create them- myself. Sadly, I am not. Luckily, I know people who are! The Cosmic Cowgirl was kind enough to share a jar of her pickled blueberries with me while chatting at the opening of La Sombra (was extremely pleased with their opening, and their pisco sours were delicious!).

Several weeks went by and I couldn't think of how to do these blueberries justice. Finally, I let them adorn a simple roast chicken breast and paired with delicious veggies which turned out to be just the right way to let these little berries shine. Not all of you will be lucky enough to enjoy these pickled blueberries yourself (unless she's kind enough to post the recipe on her blog - hint hint :) ), so perhaps try your favorite jam whisked with a bit of vinegar to add your own bit of zing to your favorite fruit.

Roast Chicken with Pickled Blueberries

3 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons honey
Juice of one lime
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup pickled blueberries

Combine garlic, honey, lime, olive oil and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Transfer to a large ziplock bag and add chicken. Seal and toss to coat chicken. Marinade for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Shake excess marinade off of chicken and place in a baking dish. Cook for 45 to 55 minutes, or until chicken is 165 degrees. Let chicken rest 5 minutes and serve with blueberries on top.

Rosemary Roasted Vegetables

4 carrots
2 zucchini
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 sprig rosemary (optional)
1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary

Peel carrots and cut into 1/2 inch thick sticks. Cut zucchini into 1/2 in sticks. Place on a baking sheet and toss with olive oil and salt and pepper. Place extra sprig rosemary on sheet and roast 30 minutes. Toss with fresh chopped rosemary and serve.

Rosemary Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes (adapted from Claire Robinson's 5 Ingredient Fix recipe)

2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled
3 tablespoons butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup half and half
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary

Cut potatoes into 1 inch pieces and place in cool water. Bring to a boil in salted water and reduce to a simmer. Cook until fork tender, about 35 minutes. Drain potatoes and set aside.

In the same pot, melt butter and gook garlic one minute. Add half and half and stir to combine. Add potatoes back in and mash to desired consistency. Stir in blue cheese and rosemary and serve.

Pork Chops with Peach Chutney

It's peach season in Texas, and I just can't get enough! I made this recipe with some very ripe peaches, and I may just recreate it with all the delicious peaches my friends and I picked in Fredericksburg this weekend! While I had several burners going on the skillet, this recipe was quite simple to assemble. I served it with brown rice and very simple, yet delicious green beans - I'll definitely be making that recipe again.

Pork Chops with Peach Chutney

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1/2 red onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup light brown sugar

4 ripe peaches, cut into 1/2-inch chunks

4 boneless pork chops

Salt and pepper to taste

Heat a medium sauce pan on medium heat and warm 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add red onion and garlic and saute 5 to 7 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add vinegar and brown sugar and cook 2 to 3 minutes, bringing to a simmer. Stir in peaches and cook on medium-low heat for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet on medium heat. Warm remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season pork chops with salt and pepper on both sides. Cook until done, about 2-3 minutes per side. Serve with the prepared chutney.

Rosemary Parmesan Green Beans

1 pound green beans, trimmed

1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Steam green beans about 5-6 minutes, so that they maintain a slight bight. Toss with cheese, rosemary and olive oil, then season with salt and pepper to taste.