Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Garden Bounty 2009: Rosemary

Last year, a co-worker gave me a rosemary bush that she didn't need anymore, and I planted it in my little garden patch. I like rosemary well enough, it grows great here, and on top of that, it requires very little of me - which is starting to become very important in my gardening life, I can tell you that.

This year, after my roommate pruned it back a bit, it's looking particularly wonderful and lush, so I decided to actually use it in something. That something happened to be a whole chicken - my favourite thing!

Lemon Rosemary Chicken

1 whole chicken
6 sprigs rosemary
1 whole lemon, cut into eighths
salt & pepper
garlic powder
1 vidalia or other sweet onion (optional)

Season chicken with salt & pepper. There is a very thin membrane between the skin and the flesh of the chicken; carefully, with a knife, separate the skin from the flesh and stick the rosemary sprigs right in there next to the skin, on the breast and on the legs. Slide in 4 or so lemon eighths. Use some more of the lemon to squeeze juice over the chicken. Stuff the cavity with the rest of the lemon, some more rosemary if you want, and the onion, if using. Sprinkle chicken with garlic powder.

Bake @ 400F until done and skin is crispy.

I must admit, that because I'm single and I don't care about the calories too much, I like to pick the crispy chicken skin right off the bird as soon as it comes out of the oven. Call me crazy, but it's the best part of the whole process, in my opinion.
And this skin was particularly delicious! It was an awesome meal, and the chicken smelled outstanding as it roasted. The rosemary flavour was subtle but definitely had something to say.

I served my chicken with some roasted fingerling potatoes and green beans. Nice, light dinner. The roasted vidalia onions were really tasty, too.
And of course I have a carcass to play around with in the future, too!

11 comments:

Coleens Recipes said...

I was so excited to see your post. My rosemary is going crazy and I would love to use some of it. Thanks for your recipe, sounds lovely. If you think of any other rosemary uses, please let me know.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

That looks delicious! I'm a big fan of rosemary!

Cheers,

Rosa

Denise said...

My rosemary is unusually large this year as well. What a great chicken and who doesnt eat the skin as soon as it comes out. Whoever doesnt, is not normal. lol

Donna-FFW said...

I have a rosemary plant beginning to take off in its pot, what a great use for it. I love it on pork also. And rosemary focaccia. Gorgeous roasted chicken!!

NKP said...

I always thought that it was because I was married that I didn't count calories! No new people have to see me naked...
The rosemary bush has grown so full and lush, I can't grow it like that here, it dies in the winter.
Love the chicken dinner, my favourite.

Cathy said...

The rosemary bush looks great! And so does the chicken! I always put bacon on top of chicken when it roasts and eat it right from the pan - calories be damned.

Creative Classroom Core said...

What a beautiful looking plant!

Bob said...

I'm wicked jealous of that rosemary! My favorite thing to do with it is to stick spears of it through a pork roast. Good times. Course, the chicken looks fantastic as well.

Heather S-G said...

mmmmm...lovely roast chicken! I wish I had that rosemary in my yard...gorgeous :D

Reeni said...

Roasted chicken is one of my favorite things - the rosemary makes it all the better! I'm jealous of your giant rosemary - mine are just little babies.

Tina said...

What a pretty rosemary plant. I'm, as usual, jealous of your cooking skills :-)

I just posted your tortellini soup. Been away...missed catching up!

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