February 3rd: Lemon Herb Roast Chicken

I already have two roast chicken recipes in the keeper book, so I'm not usually looking for more, but I came across this one in Mom's cookbook and wanted to try it, because (a) it has lemon in the title and (b) it tells you how to make gravy. I'm no savvy chef; I have no idea how to make basic things like gravy. This recipe also let me put to use a recent spontaneous grocery store purchase: kitchen string! I know, am I wild and crazy OR WHAT?


Well, a couple comments: first of all, kitchen string actually makes a big difference when cooking a chicken. I had no idea. The flavour items stuffed inside stayed inside. The chicken stayed plump and upright rather than flattened out. The meat was moister and the skin was crispier. I tell you, it was all because of that kitchen string keeping the whole bird cinched up tight. Who knew?


Secondly, I wouldn't recommend this recipe if you don't like lemon. Not a problem for me. Although it's called lemon & herb chicken, we couldn't taste anything other than lemon. No hints of rosemary or parsley anywhere. The gravy was very lemony. I think it's partly to blame (or give credit to) my awesome citrus juicer I received for Christmas. Check it out:

Check out awesome yellow lemon juicer to right of other awesome Christmas presents.

I can squeeze so much juice out of my lemons with this baby. Perhaps, in the case of tonight's chicken, too much juice! I might make this chicken again. Or I might just stick with my go-to Perfect Roast Chicken, with tonight's suggestions for gravy making. From Best Recipes Ever: Lemon Herb Roast Chicken.

Served with boiled new potatoes and roasted sweet potatoes.

[Post-supper note: the next day, needing to get some food into me fast between gymnastics and BODYFLOW, I tossed 7 leftover mini potatoes and a good 1/2 cup or more of leftover gravy in a pot and left them to simmer on the stovetop - under Greg's eye - while I squeezed into Lululemon for my class. (Have I mentioned we don't have a microwave? It died awhile back; we haven't replaced it and mostly haven't missed it.) (Have I mentioned I'm pregnant? Lululemon becomes more of a squeeze with each passing week.) In a flash of brilliance, I loaded my warmed up potatoes and lemon gravy in mozzarella cheese - all we had - and pepper and ate it, poutine style. Awesome. And enough potatoes and gravy to do it again the following day.]