Here
in the apartments, slave is getting a new neighbor. So it is
preparing a little “Welcome” dinner, since the guy may not have
had the chance to fill a pantry. Now this is NOT considered as
“charity” it is more of a “hello and glad to have you as a
neighbor”. However the tenants move in on the first of the month.
Buying food to cook on the last of the month can be a problem for
many budgets. Slave doesn't worry so much that the ends don't meet.
But it would be nice if they would at least texted each other!
So
instead of roasting a whole chicken ($16) slave choose a “Pick of
Chick” package ($6). This usually consists of 2 split breasts with
ribs, 2 drumsticks and 2 thighs. This will make a small feast for the
new (and single) guy. It will also give him left-overs and more time
to make the grocery store trip. This simple and cheap meal with main
dish and two green sides came in for under $20. Perfect for
brightening up any neighbor of yours. Remember the elderly in this
cold weather. This meal is also fairly safe as to any one's dietary
restrictions you might not know about.
Ingredients:
1
package Pick of Chick
1
lbs fresh broccoli
1
pkg frozen peas (or from a can)
3
slices bacon
¼
tsp. Herbes De Provence (or poultry seasonings)
olive
oil
Directions:
Rinse
the chicken and pat dry. Grate the garlic and rub this onto the
pieces well. Let sit on counter to about 30 to 40 minutes to
come to room temperature.
While
you wait for this:
Preheat
the oven to 425 degrees.
Fry
up 3 pieces of bacon in a large skillet, until their grease is
rendered. Remove bacon to paper towel, but leave grease in pan.
Cut
the broccoli into flowerets
and
soak in a bath of cold water and ½ cup of white vinegar for about 5
minutes to clean them well. Rinse and drain in a colander.
If
using a can of peas, drain and let them soak in water and 1 tbs.
Baking soda for about 5 minutes, then rinse and drain well. (slave
does this to remove any taste from the tin can, you can skip this if
using an expensive brand).
By
now, the chicken is ready. Heat the bacon grease to medium high and
add
1 tbs. Olive oil. Brown
the chicken pieces, skin
side down.
This will take about 8
to 10 minutes.
You want this nice and crispy but not fully cooked. You are only
doing one side.
While
this browns, line two rimed baking pan, with foil and spray with
cooking spray.
Put
the broccoli in a large bowl with 2 Tbs of olive oil and stir it
around until well coated. Pour this out onto one of the trays and
spread around evenly. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
Sprinkle
the other pan with a tiny
bit
of either poultry seasoning or Herbs De Provence. - go very lightly
with this. (Otherwise you not only waste the seasonings, they will
tend to burn). Place the pieces of chicken on this as they come out
of the pan.
Slide
both baking pans into the oven for 15
to 20 minutes,
Rotate each pan about halfway through the roasting time. Check with
an instant read thermometer for an internal temperature of 165.
Remove
from oven and lay a piece of foil on top. Let chicken rest for 10
full minutes.
While
these are roasting, put the peas in a microwave dish. If using
frozen, follow package directions. If using canned, follow directions
on label. Usually the peas wont take much more than 5 minutes either
way, so time this to start when the chicken is removed from oven.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About
roasting chicken: the
old rule was to cook until the juices ran clear! This
still works today. However after repeatedly poking holes to check the
juice, it all runs out and you get a dry chicken. Not a mouth full of
happy!
White
meat will cook faster than dark. Therefor equal parts of breast meat
will be done quicker than thigh or leg meat. However as Proof that
God loves us, He made the breast meat much thicker – that slows the
cooking time. Can slave get an “AMEN”?
If
you cook the white meat to much, it becomes dry and tough. Chicken is
not intended to be chewy! Thigh
meat is forgiving, even if overcooked. In fact, it becomes more
tender when cooked to at least 160°.
So
let's shoot for 165°
degrees.
Next,
the step of letting the chicken rest is very important. This time
allows residual cooking and lets the meat reabsorb the juices. Lets
just remember we all want a juicy chicken!
=====================
Now
instead of plating up this great meal we wrap it up to deliver!
Two
great sides of green vegetables: Garden peas and roasted broccoli
that is just starting to caramelize.
Now
when our new neighbor makes his last trip to his new home, when he
arrives from the snow storm outside (up to 7 inches).
Here
at his door will be a hot, home cooked healthy meal. There will be
plenty of left overs. What's more he will feel that the whole
building is welcoming him to his new home.
You have friends:
You have friends:
What
a joyful task my Master gave me to do this. How wonderful slave
feels.
Thank
You Master Indy!
socialslave
To
satisfy and restore.
To
nourish, support and maintain.
To
gratify, spoil, comfort and please,
to
nurture, assist, and sustain
…..I
cook!
Please
buy slave's cookbook:
The
Little Black Book of Indiscreet Recipes by Dan White
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F315Y4I/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_vAT4sb0934RTM
via @amazon
