4-Hour Roast Chicken

I'm not the biggest fan of turkey, unless maybe it's deep fried. And if I make a chicken, this is now the only way I do it. It has never failed me. The birds come out juicy and tender with a crisp crust and it makes its own gravy, so be sure to have a bowl of mashed potatoes ready. The spices are great. Sure, you could just purchase a rotisserie chicken from the store, but it won't be half as good. And take it from someone who worked in a deli--do you really know how long those birds were sitting in the cooler before they roasted them.......?

• 1 chicken, about 4 lbs.
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 medium onion cut into fourths or large chunks
• Equipment: Heavy Dutch Oven
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In a small bowl, mix spices except for rosemary. Set aside the cut-up onion. Rinse chicken inside and out. Pat dry. Rub chicken inside and out with spice mixture. Place onion pieces in cavity and sprinkle the outside of the bird with dried rosemary. Place chicken in re-sealable plastic. Refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 250 F degrees. Place chicken in heavy dutch oven. I use a cast-iron enamel-lined oval Dutch oven. Pin cavity closed. Tie legs together (optional).

Bake, uncovered, for four hours or until bird reaches minimum temperature of 175 degrees, basting once-in-a-while during last 40 minutes or so. Let rest for 10 minutes before carving. Strain juices to serve as gravy.

Notes:  So, if you have a 3 lb. bird, figure roasting for about 3 hours. Because you're cooking at a lower temperature, I think it very important to take the temp. of the bird before removing from oven. BUT, because you are roasting at a lower temp., your bird won't dry out (did I just really say that?).

Applesauce with Cranberries and Crystallized Ginger

Homemade applesauce is quite simple. It's a great condiment to adorn any holiday table and goes well with turkey and ham and all things mashed potatoes and stuffing. The simple addition of fresh cranberries and minced ginger spice up this festive recipe for a festive holiday presentation. Try to use a variety of apples and always include one Yellow Delicious. Look for ginger sold in larger packages, not the small ridiculously-priced spice jars.

• 4 apples (about 2 lbs.) peeled, cored and chopped
• 1 cup fresh cranberries, picked over
• 1/2  - 1 cup sugar (white or a combination of light brown)
• 1/4 cup apple juice or water, but not more
• 3-inch cinnamon stick
• 3-inch strip of lemon zest removed with vegetable peeler
• 1 tablespoon well-chopped, crystallized ginger
• 1/16 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional, but good if serving warm or with pancakes)

In a heavy saucepan, cook the apples, cranberries, sugar, apple juice or water, cinnamon stick, lemon and ginger over moderate heat, stirring until apples are soft, 15-25 minutes. Cranberries will have "popped" turning mixture pink.

Remove from heat and discard lemon zest and cinnamon stick. Place in food processor and pulse until smooth. Taste. Add butter and vanilla. Taste and add more sugar if necessary. Place in bowl and, if desired, sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve warm or cold. Refrigerate leftovers.

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes should have a bit of "structure" to them.
They should be "mashed" and not whipped or soupy.

Mashed potatoes don't have be boring and are easily flavored with a bit of dried onion and fresh garlic. I do not like “whipped” potatoes and will save that glop for my death-bed meal along with jarred applesauce that I sip through a straw.

• 2 large Idaho potatoes, about 2 lbs.
• 1-2 teaspoons dried onion flakes
• 1 small garlic clove, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup milk or Half-and-Half or cream or any combo at room temperature or slightly nuked
• 6 T. Butter
• Salt and pepper

(Easily serves 4)

Peel potatoes. I no longer cut into "chunks" or fourths because they cook unevenly. Slice into 3/4-inch rounds, that way they are all uniform and cook evenly and faster.

Place in a medium pan of water and drain and then rinse. Fill pan with enough water to cover the potatoes by about an inch of water. Add the dried onion flakes and a few slices of the garlic clove depending on taste. A little goes a long way. Cover, bring to a boil and then lower heat a bit. Cook for about 10-15 minutes or until a fork easily pierces them. Remove from heat, reduce burner to low.

Using the pan lid to hold the potatoes in, drain in a sink. Don’t worry if some of the dried onion and garlic escape; the potatoes have already absorbed their flavor. 

Place the pan back on the range to allow any water/moisture to dry up. Using a fork stir potatoes around a bit to begin breaking up.

You have several options to "mash" your potatoes. A ricer is the best. If you don't have that, use a simple potato masher. If you don't have that, use a pastry blender or wire whisk. I now usually use a wire pastry blender. Electric beaters can cause potatoes be become "gluey."

A pastry blender is a great way to mash potatoes!

Remove pan from heat. Add butter—several tablespoons, and begin mashing. Add warm milk or cream—a little at a time, whisking/mashing as you go, until you get a desired “mash" and thickness. 

Potatoes take a lot of salt, so use a good one, such as Kosher salt or a nice sea salt. Add freshly-ground pepper and even more butter. If desired, add some chopped, fresh parsley or chopped green onions.

Green onions take mashed potatoes to a higher level.

If you are not going to serve them at once, place in a buttered casserole dish. Dot with butter. Cover. To re-heat, place in a 350 degree oven until heated through and butter is melted.

Dive in!!!

Dutch Baby (Puffed Pancake)

Absolutely magnificent! And delicious!

A light, puffed pancake using the simplest of ingredients... and it's pretty easy to make, too! A great recipe to involve kids or guests.

This if often called a "German"(Deutsch) pancake. "Deutsch" was simplified to Dutch. Its origins go as far back as a hotel in Hawaii. Whatever it origin, it's a winner and should be in every kitchen's repertoire of easy meals that look "posh".

I'm always amazed when I make this recipe: amazed at the simple, inexpensive ingredients; amazed at how it puffs up like a space galaxy or emerging nebula; amazed at how "French" and professional it looks when done; and then amazed at how good it actually tastes.

Just be sure to have eggs and milk at room temperature. You can nuke the milk just a bit to get it there and put the whole eggs in their shells in some warm water for 5-10 minutes. Some people swear by 2% milk. 

I prefer the classic lemon-and-powdered sugar garnish--lots of powdered sugar. But I've also had it with stewed apples (and powdered sugar). It's also great with fresh berries served in the center and drizzled with honey or maple syrup.

This makes for a great Sunday breakfast or a light, evening meal. Spread it with some Boursin cheese or your favorite goat cheese and scatter it with some fresh tomato, onion and smoked salmon. Fill it with your favorite salad greens and some chopped ham--drizzle with your favorite dressing. The Internet is filled with great ideas. And, like I said, involve kids. They will be thrilled to watch it puff like magic. Even teens!

• 2 eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup milk, at room temperature 
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 tablespoons butter
• Confectioners' sugar
• Juice of fresh lemon
• Cast Iron Skillet, 10 or 12 inch

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Add the flour, milk, nutmeg, vanilla and lightly beat until blended but still slightly lumpy. I use an old-fashioned egg beater. A whisk works well, too. Or just use a blender.

An enamel-lined cast-iron skillet like this works well.

Place butter in skillet and put in oven. When butter is melted, pour in the batter and return to oven. Bake until pancake is billowing on the edges and golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Note the raised, brown edges. No two pancakes will ever look the same!

Remove from pan and plate. The pancake will fall, so don't be alarmed. Squeeze on lemon juice and dust with powdered sugar. I say "dust" to be polite. Pile it on in drifts like a Midwest blizzard!

Here's how America Test Kitchen makes theirs: https://www.americastestkitchen.com/recipes/9643-german-pancake-for-two

Notes: If you don't have an iron skillet, you may sub a cake pan or pie dish, just alter the batter according to size. If you use a regular skillet, make sure the handle is heat-proof. If you don't have nutmeg, omit--or add a sprinkle of cinnamon. I've also used apple pie spice.