Alice Waters Roast Chicken Food

LE CREUSET FRENCH-STYLE ROAST CHICKEN WITH TARRAGON CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Lightly grease the inside of Le Creuset or crock pot. Wash and dry the chicken and truss into shape. Grease it lightly all over with olive oil and rub a little salt and pepper on the skin. Place the chicken, breast side up, in Le Creuset or crock pot, and sprinkle the tarragon over the breasts and legs.
• Cover Le Creuset with the lid, place it in the heated oven, and roast for 2 to 2 1/2 hours until the juices run clear, not pink, when the thigh is pierced with a skewer, or an instant-read thermometer reads 180°F (For crock pot, cook covered on HIGH for 6 to 8 hours, less time for a smaller bird).
• Lift out the chicken onto a warm platter, cover it with aluminum foil and a clean dish towel and leave to rest while making the sauce.
• SAUCE:.
• To make the sauce, pour out any excess fat from the pan. Pour the hot stock into Le Creuset and place it over medium heat on the stove top and bring to a boil. Stir to remove any residues from the bottom, which can be incorporated into the sauce. Once the liquid is boiling, stir in the cream blended with the tarragon and cornstarch. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly. (For crock pot, after pouring off any excess fat, place hot stock and the blended cream, tarragon & cornstarch into the crock pot and stir well. Cover and cook on LOW for 30 minutes).
• Taste and adjust the seasoning of the sauce, if needed, before serving it with the carved chicken, fluffy mashed potatoes and a vegetable side.

MY FAVORITE SIMPLE ROAST CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450°F. Rinse the chicken, then dry it very well with paper towels, inside and out. The less it steams, the drier the heat, the better.
• Salt and pepper the cavity, then truss the bird. Trussing is not difficult, and if you roast chicken often, it's a good technique to feel comfortable with. When you truss a bird, the wings and legs stay close to the body; the ends of the drumsticks cover the top of the breast and keep it from drying out. Trussing helps the chicken to cook evenly, and it also makes for a more beautiful roasted bird.
• Now, salt the chicken-I like to rain the salt over the bird so that it has a nice uniform coating that will result in a crisp, salty, flavorful skin (about 1 tablespoon). When it's cooked, you should still be able to make out the salt baked onto the crisp skin. Season to taste with pepper.
• Place the chicken in a sauté pan or roasting pan and, when the oven is up to temperature, put the chicken in the oven. I leave it alone-I don't baste it, I don't add butter; you can if you wish, but I feel this creates steam, which I don't want. Roast it until it's done, 50 to 60 minutes. Remove it from the oven and add the thyme, if using, to the pan. Baste the chicken with the juices and thyme and let it rest for 15 minutes on a cutting board.
• Remove the twine. Separate the middle wing joint and eat that immediately. Remove the legs and thighs. I like to take off the backbone and eat one of the oysters, the two succulent morsels of meat embedded here, and give the other to the person I'm cooking with. But I take the chicken butt for myself. I could never understand why my brothers always fought over that triangular tip-until one day I got the crispy, juicy fat myself. These are the cook's rewards. Cut the breast down the middle and serve it on the bone, with one wing joint still attached to each. The preparation is not meant to be superelegant. Slather the meat with fresh butter. Serve with mustard on the side and, if you wish, a simple green salad. You'll start using a knife and fork, but finish with your fingers, because it's so good.