Roast Chicken Stuffed With Fruit Food

HOLIDAY FRUIT STUFFED ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Spread the walnuts out onto a baking sheet and toast them for about 45 minutes, until the nuts start to brown and become fragrant. Watch the walnuts carefully, because they burn quickly. Set the walnuts aside.
• While the walnuts are roasting, rinse the chicken well with cold water, then pat dry inside and out with paper towels. Place the chicken into a small roasting pan, and sprinkle inside and outside with salt and pepper.
• Combine 2 tablespoons Italian dressing, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 teaspoon orange peel, the lemon peel, thyme, and basil in a small bowl. Brush the chicken inside and out with the mixture.
• To make the stuffing, heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the apple, pear, and pineapple chunks; cook and stir about 5 minutes, until the apple and pear are tender. Mix the cooked fruit mixture with the roasted walnuts, bread, prunes, grapes, 2 tablespoons Italian dressing, orange juice, apple cider, 1 teaspoon of orange zest, honey, and cinnamon in a large bowl and stir to combine.
• Increase oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Spoon the stuffing into the chicken cavity, including the area under the neck skin. Secure the skin over the neck cavity with toothpicks, and fold the wings underneath the chicken. Tie the drumsticks together.
• Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for 1 hour, and untie the drumsticks. Return the chicken to the oven and continue roasting until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 45 minutes to 1 hour additional roasting time. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Remove the chicken from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.

FRUIT-STUFFED PORK ROAST

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°. Place pork, fat side up, on cutting board. Cut horizontally through center of pork almost to opposite side. Open pork like a book. Layer dried fruits and onion in opening. Bring halves of pork together; tie at 1-inch intervals with kitchen twine. Turn pork so fat is on bottom. Mix salt, thyme, cinnamon and pepper in small bowl; rub into pork.
• Heat oil in roaster over medium-high heat. Cook pork in oil until brown on all sides. Add 2 tablespoons of the apple cider. Cook pork, turning frequently, until cider caramelizes and surface of pork turns dark brown. Repeat browning with additional 2 tablespoons cider. Add remaining cider. Insert meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of pork.
• Cover and bake 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours or until pork is no longer pink in center and thermometer reads 155°. Remove pork from pan, cover with aluminum foil and let stand about 15 minutes until temperature rises to 160°. Serve pork with Apple Cider Gravy.

FRUIT STUFFED CHICKEN RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Combine the dried fruit, bread crumbs, and 2 tablespoons oil in a bowl.
• Mix well to combine and set aside.
• Mix the salt, pepper, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
• Split the chicken breasts in half to make room for the filling.
• Sprinkle the insides of the halves with the spice mix and then top with the fruit mixture.
• Fold each breast over and sprinkle the outside with the rest of the spice mix.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet and cook the chicken until browned on the bottom.
• Turn it over and cook another 2 minutes until the second side is browned.
• Add the remaining oil and add the rest of the chicken for cooking.
• Roast the chicken in the oven for 10 minutes until firm to the touch and serve.

ROAST STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F.
• Mix hot water and margarine in large bowl until margarine is melted. Add stuffing mix; stir just until moistened. Set aside. (Do not stuff chicken until ready to bake.)
• Stuff chicken lightly with prepared stuffing; close openings with skewers and string. Place, breast-side up, on rack in baking pan; sprinkle with thyme.
• Bake 1 hour 40 min. or until chicken is done (165°F) and stuffing is heated through (165ºF), basting occasionally with pan juices.

SIMPLE/EASY STUFFED ROAST CHICKEN WITH GRAVY (FOR BEGINNERS)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Empty contents of stuffing box, both the bread crumb and seasoning envelopes, into a medium bowl.
• Add hot water and butter; stir to mix.
• Add chopped water chestnuts, onion and poultry seasoning, mix thoroughly and set aside.
• Check inside the chicken for giblets, remove and set aside.
• Rinse chicken inside and out with cold running water.
• Dry thoroughly inside and out with paper towel.
• Sprinkle salt and fresh ground pepper inside the cavity and all over the outside.
• Place chicken in a roaster.
• Loosely pack the stuffing mix into the main cavity and any left into the neck cavity folding the skin over it.
• If necessary secure the neck skin with a pick.
• Take a length of kitchen string and tie the ends of the legs as close together as possible.
• Rub the butter all over the outside of the chicken making sure to cover the whole outside surface.
• Take two lengths of aluminum foil, place one piece over the chicken lengthwise, take the other piece and place it sideways over the first piece.
• Tuck the foil tightly to the chicken so it is touching the bottom of the roaster but not under the bird.
• If the bird is not completely covered (except for the underside) Use a third piece to finish covering.
• Place the roaster on the middle rack of the oven and roast at 400f degrees for 15 minutes.
• Reduce the heat after 15 minutes to 350f degrees and roast for approximately 2 hours.
• At about 2 hours, carefully lift the aluminum foil and poke the chicken with a fork, if the juice runs clear, remove the foil and roast a further 30 minutes to brown the skin to golden.
• If the juice is not yet clear, roast a little longer and check again.
• Once the chicken is well browned, remove to platter, cover with foil and let rest.
• In the meantime, if you wish to make giblet gravy, take the giblets (and neck if it's there), place in a saucepan, cover with water, add salt and pepper and a little poultry seasoning if you wish, bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for at least an hour.
• Remove to strainer, reserving liquid.
• Chop the giblets and pick any meat off neck bones, add to a blender and add the liquid.
• Blend to liquefy level, add 3 or 4 tablespoons flour or corn starch and blend to mix well.
• Pour off as much fat as possible from the roaster, take a whisk and move up any bits and pieces of stuffing/chicken stuck to the bottom, remove any large pieces of skin, add the giblet mix from the blender, whisk around; place in 450°F to 500°F degree oven until bubbly, about 10 minutes; add a small amount of hot water if necessary if it is too thick until it is the consistancy you want, cook another 5 minutes.
• (We like ours very thick) Whisk and pour into gravy boat and serve hot with the roast chicken.
• Gravy can also be made without the giblets, just whisk up the brown bits in the roaster and add 1 cup of hot water and make a slurry of cold water and either flour or corn starch, add the slurry and whisk, cook the same as above adding a little more water if necessary.

ROAST CHICKEN WITH CITRUS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Pat the chicken dry inside and out. Season the inside with 2 teaspoons salt and the pepper. Place as many of the orange and lemon quarters, garlic cloves, and herb sprigs in the cavity as will fit. Cross the legs one over the other or tie them together with kitchen string to hold the contents inside. Tuck the wings underneath the chicken as if it was putting its arms behind its head. Squeeze a lemon quarter over the the chicken and rub the juice into the skin, then sprinkle the chicken with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt.
• Place the chicken, breast side up, in a roasting pan. Toss any remaining orange and lemon quarters, garlic, and herb sprigs in the pan. Roast until the chicken's juices run clear when a thigh is pierced with a fork or an instant-read thermometer registers 160°F (71°C) when inserted into the thickest part of a thigh, 1 1/2 to 2 hours, depending on the size. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 10 minutes.
• While the chicken rests, pour 1 cup stock into the roasting pan and stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Strain the pan juices through a fine-mesh sieve into a saucepan and place over low heat. Add the butter and the remaining 3 cups stock and swirl the pan gently until the butter melts. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the flour over the liquid and whisk until it dissolves and the juices have thickened a little, 3 to 5 minutes. If a thicker sauce is desired, sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons flour, or more as needed, and whisk again.
• Squeeze the juice from the orange and lemon quarters into the pan and cook, stirring, until the juices have thickened a little more and are glossy, about 5 minutes. The pan sauce should be thinner than a gravy and just lightly coat the back of a spoon. Stir in the chopped thyme. Taste and adjust the seasoning. (You'll have ample pan sauce, but it's lovely spooned over rice or potatoes or virtually anything else you can think to put on the same plate as this citrus roast chicken.)
• Carve the roast chicken and arrange on a platter. Serve with the warm juices on the side.

ORANGE HERB ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Pour the chicken broth into a small roasting pan, and set aside.
• Loosen the skin from the breasts and thighs of the chicken. Stuff the butter pieces evenly underneath the skin of the chicken, and place into the roasting pan. Squeeze the orange halves over the chicken, and stuff the orange halves into the chicken cavity. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper to taste, then rub in the minced garlic. Drizzle the melted butter all over the chicken, then lay the herb sprigs onto the breast and around the legs.
• Cover the dish with aluminum foil, and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Uncover and baste the chicken with the pan juices. Continue cooking until the chicken is no longer pink, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), 1 to 2 hours. Baste the chicken every 10 to 15 minutes after you uncover it. Once cooked, allow the chicken to rest out of the oven for 10 minutes before slicing.

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH DRIED FRUITS STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine the breadcrumbs, raisins, butter, chives, salt, apricots and lemon zest in a bowl. Beat together with a wooden spoon to form a smooth mixture.
• Loosen the skin on the breasts of the chicken using your fingers, then distribute the stuffing under the skin on each side.
• Place the chicken into a large saute pan and roast for 30 minutes.
• Baste the chicken with the fat from the pan. Return to the oven and cook until the thickest part of the leg reaches 160 degrees F, 30 minutes more.
• Rest the chicken for 20 minutes before carving.

ROAST CHICKEN STUFFED WITH FRUIT

Steps:

• wash out cavity of chicken.
• stuff cavity with fruit.
• paint honey on skin.
• preheat oven to 400f.
• place chicken in heat baking dish.
• roast in 400f oven 1-1/2 hours baste often with the juice.

FRUIT-STUFFED PORK ROAST

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the plums, apricots, ginger, 3/4 teaspoon cumin, orange zest, cinnamon, salt and pepper; set aside. Untie roast and separate pieces. Spoon fruit mixture onto one piece. Top with the second piece; retie with kitchen string. Place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan., Combine the brown sugar, flour, cornstarch, mustard, vinegar and remaining cumin until smooth; rub over roast. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until a thermometer in the pork reads 145°. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

WHOLE STUFFED CHICKEN WITH GRAVY

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line a roasting pan with foil and set a rack in the pan.
• Gather the melted and cold butter.
• Using your hands or a brush, rub the chicken with the melted butter.
• Tuck the pieces of cold butter under the chicken's skin along with the optional fresh herbs. Sprinkle the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Set aside while making the stuffing.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Melt the butter in a skillet or sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the chopped onion and celery. Cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is translucent and the celery is crisp-tender.
• Add the dried thyme, parsley, and breadcrumbs . Add about 1/3 cup of milk and stir to blend. Taste and season the stuffing with salt and pepper.
• Stir in the beaten egg and enough of the remaining 1/3 cup milk, if needed, one tablespoon at a time to make a moist mixture. Remove from heat.
• Loosely spoon the stuffing into the cavity of the chicken.
• Close the cavity by sewing the loose skin together with toothpicks, or twine. Alternatively, cover the cavity with a piece of foil or a slice of bread.
• Place the chicken, breast-side up, on the rack in the roasting pan.
• Roast the whole chicken in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes, basting several times with the pan juices. When done, the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh, away from fat and bone must read the minimum safe temperature for consumption of 165 F. The stuffing needs to have the same temperature reading.
• Once cooked thoroughly, remove from the oven and let rest for about 15 minutes.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Skim off the fat from the pan drippings, or use a fat separator. Reserve the fat.
• Add three tablespoons of fat back in the roasting pan, reserving the remaining drippings. Add the flour and stir to make a roux . Cook on the stove, stirring, for two minutes.
• Put the reserved drippings in a 2-cup measuring cup and add enough chicken stock until you have 2 full cups of liquid.
• Gradually stir the chicken stock mixture into the roux mixture. Continue cooking the gravy until thickened, stirring constantly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Carve the chicken and serve with cooked stuffing and pan gravy.

STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH CARIBBEAN ROOT MEDLEY MASH, SOFRITO RUM REDUCTION AND CREOLE FRUIT SALSA

Steps:

• For the creole fruit salsa: Combine the pineapple, mango, papaya, red onion, lime juice or pineapple vinegar, cayenne pepper or Tajín, orange zest, mint leaves and salt and pepper to taste in a medium bowl. Toss until well combined and set aside for serving.
• For the Caribbean root medley mash: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Place the garlic on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to combine. Roast until fork tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Pop the roasted garlic out of the peel and discard the peel. Leave the oven on for your chicken breasts!
• Meanwhile, combine the pumpkin, taro, sweet potatoes and vegetable broth in a stockpot. Season with salt, cover with a tight-fitting lid and bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat until all the vegetables are very tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain the vegetables.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once it's hot, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the chopped red onions and cook, stirring, until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a food processor or large bowl. Add the root vegetables, butter, cream, cilantro, paprika and roasted garlic to the onions. Process or mash with a potato masher to your desired consistency but still thick. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set the mash aside.
• For the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts horizontally and open each one like a book. Sprinkle each with 3/4 teaspoon of the sazón and 1 tablespoon of the dried oregano. Spread 1 tablespoon of the sofrito on each breast. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place 1/2 cup of the mash in the center of each butterflied breast and tie with kitchen twine to enclose the stuffing.
• Heat the avocado oil in a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Once your skillet is very hot, add the stuffed chicken breasts and cook until seared, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 170 degrees F, about 20 minutes. (If you don't have an ovenproof skillet, bake the chicken on a rimmed baking sheet.) Remove the twine, slice each chicken breast into 3 rounds and set aside.
• For the sofrito rum reduction: While the chicken is in the oven, heat a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil and garlic paste and cook, stirring quickly, for 30 seconds, then add the sofrito. Stir to combine. Add the honey and oregano sprigs and cook over medium-high heat until reduced by one-fourth, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the rum and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Decrease the heat to low and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes or until reduced to your desired consistency. Remove and discard the oregano sprigs.
• For serving: Place the chicken on a plate and add some of the reduction and 1/2 cup of the salsa on the side. Garnish with lime zest and edible flowers, if using.