LEMON CHICKEN WITH GARLIC AND THYME: EUROPE
INGREDIENTS: ( serves 4 )
1 large chicken, whole
4 - 6 lemons
Olive oil
1 bunch thyme
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1-2 tbs honey
4 shallots
2 fresh garlic bulbs
METHOD:
- Wash the chicken and pat dry. Halve and squeeze one lemon. Slice one lemon and mix with a little olive oil, half of the thyme, salt and pepper.
- Stuff the chicken with the sliced lemon and thyme mixture. Tie the chicken's legs together.
- Mix the lemon juice with the honey, 1 tbs oil, salt and pepper and brush the chicken with the mixture. Halve the remaining lemons and put into an oiled roasting dish.
- Peel and halve the shallots, halve the garlic bulbs and put both into the dish. Place the chicken in the dish, scatter the rest of the thyme on top of the chicken and bake in a preheated oven ( 180c ) for about 1 hour. Serve with Yorkshire puddings and gravy.
TIPS :To get the most accurate temperature reading, insert the instant- read thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh, toward the interior rather than the exterior of the bird. Make sure you don't touch the bone with the tip of the thermometer or you'll get a higher reading.
GRILLED CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES:
INGREDIENTS: ( serves 4 )
4 pieces boneless chicken fillet
4 medium zucchini, sliced
4 stalks green onions
4 medium green or red chillies
4 pieces cauliflower
GARLIC SAUCE:
8-10 cloves garlic
1 medium onion
2-3 medium chillies
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 tsp black pepper
1-1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp coriander, ground
1/4 cup olive oil
METHOD:
- Cut a slit in the side of the chicken fillet to form a pocket. Keep it aside.
- GARLIC SAUCE: In a food processor bowl put garlic, onion, chilli, lemon juice, black pepper, salt, paprika and coriander, process until mixture is fine. Add olive oil and stir well.
- Fill the chicken fillet with some of the garlic sauce mixture. Pour the remaining mixture over the chicken and chill it for 15- 30 minutes.
- Heat grilling pan on high heat. Place the fillet on the grill.
- Brush the vegetables with some of the garlic sauce, place beside the chicken. Cook until cicken and vegetables are light brown, turn on the other side and cook until tender.
- Enjoy them hot beside rice or pasta.
TIPS -
To keep the chicken soft and moist, brush with garlic sauce several times while grilling. To check if the chicken is cooked, pierce wth toothpick or fork, it should be inserted with ease and the juice should be clear, not pink.
