James Martin Roast Chicken Food

JAMES MARTIN'S CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM PIE

Steps:

• Place the chicken in a large saucepan with half the onions and the bay leaf. Season with a little salt and pepper and cover with water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
• Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside to cool. Return the pan to the hob and cook the stock on a rapid boil for a further 30 minutes or until it has reduced by half. Meanwhile, remove the meat from the chicken legs, thighs and carcass, then place in the pie dish.
• Preheat the oven to 220°C/gas mark 7. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large frying pan, add the remaining onions and cook over a low-medium heat, without browning, for about five minutes or until softened, then add the flour. Turn up the heat and then add the mushrooms and cook for a further three to four minutes.
• Strain the stock, then add to the mushrooms and cook for one minute. Pour in the wine and cream, then bring to the oil, reduce the heat and simmer for five minutes. Season, then pour it over the chicken and sprinkle tarragon leaves over the top.
• Cut out a disc of pastry two centimetres wider all round than the pie dish. Brush the edges of the dish with beaten egg and lay the pie dish. Brush the edges of the dish with beaten egg and lay the pastry on top, crimping the edges with a fork or your fingertips.
• Trim away any excess pastry and brush the top of the pie with the remaining egg. Place on a baking tray and brake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the pastry is crisp and golden. Then remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

HERBY SLOW-ROAST CHICKEN

Steps:

• Roughly bash the garlic cloves and herbs (a rolling pin or meat mallet is good for this), then put in a large food bag or dish with the lemon zest, oil and chicken. Rub everything into the chicken, inside and out. Leave to marinate overnight.
• Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Remove the chicken from the fridge 30 mins before you want to cook it. Put the vegetables in a large roasting tin and top with the chicken. Scatter the herbs and garlic from the marinade over, around and inside the bird. Push the 2 lemons inside the chicken too, halving to fit if necessary. Rub the butter all over the skin and season generously.
• Pour the wine into the tin with 150ml water, cover tightly with a tent of foil (so it doesn't touch the top of the bird) and cook for 2 hrs. Remove the foil and continue cooking for 1 hr more, or until the chicken is cooked and the juices run clear. Increase oven to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7 and roast for 25-30 mins more until the skin is really crisp. Lift the chicken from the tin to rest on a plate for 30 mins, covered again with the foil.
• Meanwhile, put the roasting tin on the hob and bubble to reduce the cooking juices a little. Add any juices from the rested chicken and season to taste. Serve the bird in the middle of the table to share, alongside the buttery veg.