How (and why) To Roast a Chicken
Whole roasted chicken might not be my favorite food. But it is hands-down my favorite meal. The ritual includes the act of preparing a whole animal for the oven while appreciating its life, then encountering the aromas mingling with a pan of roasting root vegetables as they escape the oven. After an hour spent building hunger and anticipation comes the revelation of the perfectly roasted chicken skin as it comes out of the oven and the carving, with the potential for enjoyment like any craft that can be done skillfully. Finally we sit down with a group of thankful, hungry, smiling humans around a table set in anticipation and common purpose. I can recall a number of very memorable roasted, pastured chicken dinners. One...