Crisp Roasted Chicken

We eat a lot of chicken at our house.  I'd love to purchase only free range, grass fed, organic chicken; but they're a little too rich for my blood on a regular basis at around $5.00 per pound.  I have found a brand that I like though... the brand escapes me......  They are free range, grain fed (which means GMO corn), and no antibiotics.  I like all but the grain fed part, but I guess I'll take what I can get right now.  Anyway, I am sure everyone knows that when you purchase chicken it is much less expensive to purchase a whole chicken.  Not everyone knows how to cook 'em up though, so I thought I'd share an idea. 




In this photo you will also see couscous mixed with the veggies... I had it in the fridge and just needed to use it up.

  Crisp Roasted Chicken (in a bundt pan)
*Rinse your chicken thoroughly with water.
*Take out the bag of "goodies" in the chest cavity.  (Not everyone knows this is there...  I once baked the chicken without taking this out!  It made for a good laugh at the table, and luckily the bag wasn't plastic)
*Separate your chicken skin from the meat just enough to be able to season in between the skin and meat.
*Season your meat both under the skin and on top of the skin.  (I use a rub)
*Add a bit of fat to the outside of the chicken.  IE: melted butter, or olive oil. This will make it crisp nicely.
*Fill the cavity with veggies of your choice.  I've used potato, carrots, whole garlic, asparagus, and onion.  Chopped.
*Any veggies that won't fit inside can surround the chicken on the outside.  (please note that the steam from cooking veggies on the outside will compromise the crispiness of the chicken.) 
*Don't neglect salt and pepper for the veggies.
*Bake according to chicken package directions.  Usually 20min per pound at around 350 degrees. Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer!  Ovens usually vary.


Doesn't she look cozy.

Roasting away. 

What to do with that carcass, and left over bits of chicken?  Well, you can make a really awesome soup out of it.  I call it "chicken carcass soup", but friends tease me.. I guess any recipe with the word 'carcass' in the title doesn't really conjure up tasty images in the mind... But let me assure you, it is tasty!

Chicken Carcass Soup Adapted from a Jane Brody recipe.
2 Tbsp. minced onion
1 clove minced garlic
1 Tbsp. butter
1 C diced carrots
1/2 C diced celery
1/2 C chopped mushrooms
1 1/2 Tbsp. flour
7 C chicken stock (If you ever boil chicken, save the water and freeze for homemade stock)
1 tsp. marjoram (if you don't have this on hand, oregano is a fine substitute)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 C cooked barley
Diced meat from your leftover roasted chicken (clean the bones)
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley (optional)
2 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. thyme
1 bay leaf

*Saute onion and garlic in butter until soft.
*Add carrots, celery, and mushrooms.  Cook veggies 6 minutes.
*Add flour.
*Add stock, marjoram (or oregano), and other herbs.
*Bring to a boil and simmer for about an hour.
*Add chicken.  Taste and adjust seasonings to suit your preference.
*Bring back to a boil.
*Sprinkle with fresh parsley to finish.

Yu   Um!

Salve Making Basics

Calendula Rose Salve with Arnica.

Gather supplies needed.

Combine and "cook" in a slow cooker filled with water on low for several days. (Make sure to replenish water consistently, or you'll end up with burned ingredients!)

Strain liquid and discard solids.

Pour into containers.

Rose Petals, Calendula, Arnica Flower, Beeswax Beads, Vitamin E

Close up of Beeswax Beads.
You can purchase these here .

Cram (yes I said cram) it all in a mason jar.  Or several mason jars
depending on how much you want to make.  Cover with carrier oil.
I used olive oil, but I would suggest sweet almond or jojoba oil instead.

This particular salve is good for minor cuts, scrapes, bumps, bruises, etc.  I would not recommend using it on burns.

DIY Heaven!

I have a friend who turned me onto this blog that I  L.O.V.E.  It is called Knock Off Wood and it is a DIY blog with plans for Pottery Barnesque furniture for so much less that retail.  The catch is that you have to build it yourself.  HOW FUN!  My favorite part of this blog (besides the really detailed FREE plans) is the author.  She is this super cute gal up in Alaska with a husband with a really great name (Jacob).  I mean, she is a hottie!   It was just so encouraging to see a girl building REAL furniture that I decided that I could do it too!  (Everyone knows how I love a deal right?!)  So........ onto my first project.  :)

Small Collector Bookshelf
So, the first one I built with the hubs watching closely.  Giving me pointers, making sure I didn't cut off my arm with the chop saw, etc... Then, the next day while he was at work I did this:

1X4 Before cutting

Measuring 36" in (twice)

CHOPSAW! (Photo credit: My 4 year old) Very strange arm shot...

All pieces cut (2) 36" (2) 6"

Measuring to make curve in sides

My curve maker... A big empty bucket.

So far, so good.

BAND SAW!  (I'm not really great at this btw)

Use waste piece from first side to make 2nd side. Then cut like above.

Had to use some creativity to nail it all together.  Glue first, then nail.

Adding sides on.

Add guard to front.

Clamp it up until the glue sets up.

TA DA!  (Almost finished) Now, sand and paint.

Finished and hung.  I think they look nice!  What do you think?

Close up of Eva's

Close up of Gwyneth's and side view.

YAY ME!  :)