A Sentiment

God knew what He was doing when He sent a gentle breeze and brought a lovely butterfly to set my heart at ease. The happiness of your friendship and the gentleness of your words have touched my life in special ways and now I feel assured. Thank you for your loyalty and for reading everyday. I only hope you find things to make a happy day.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

A Big Fat Roaster and a Poem


This isn't my chicken...it's still in the downstairs fridge.



Dinner for Joe by Balisha

A big fat roaster sat on the shelf
Joe was shopping...couldn't help himself.
His cart was getting full to the top
But he had to do it...he couldn't stop.
He found some room..  a little spot..
For the roaster to sit right on top.
He hummed as he drove up to the house,
He came in the door as quick as a mouse.
He put the bags on the counter top..
Opening them fast...he couldn't stop.
Out came the bird ..as fine as can be..
He smiled so big as he looked at me.
"Look what I found at the store," he said.
His face right then turned a wee bit  red.
"We can  have it for dinner this  Sunday at noon"..
I saw his treasure...and I started to swoon.
I had planned a roast beef for dinner that day..
But plans can be changed ...he'll have it his way.
So dinner will be on Sunday this week.
The menu change...I'll give it a tweek.
A big fat roaster will be on our plate..
A dinner so fine for me and my mate.


There's a nice fat roasting chicken just waiting for me in my fridge. Joe bought it and presented it to me like a prize...his eyes dancing. He kept asking if I was thawing the chicken yesterday. Just before sleep...he said, "Where's the chicken?" to remind me not to leave it out :) I'm fixing it tomorrow. He's been really watching what he eats and Sunday he will have his nice chicken dinner....and stray away from the diet for a day. Chicken, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, sliced tomatoes, squash, and maybe a sweet potato for Balisha. 
I have roasted so many chickens...I could do it in my sleep. Just the past few years have found me doing it in a different way. I like to use one of those bags to roast it in. I think it turns out more moist, but not quite as "pretty." The way I do it is this:
I get my roaster pan out...it's a pan with low sides and like a big cake pan...with a rack.
Select the size bag I need.
I rub the chicken inside and out with lots of butter. A good coating...maybe seasoned with some fresh herbs from my garden. I slip some sage leaves under the breast skin Massage it in well and then season the bird. Salt, pepper, poultry seasoning all mixed with some powdered sage.(go easy on the sage) 
Put the required flour in the bag and then the bird. 
If I cook vegetables with...I put them in first so the chicken rests on them.
Position it in the pan so it's centered and then tie the bag shut with the twisty tie.
Cut the slits in the bag and put in the center of a 375 oven.
I figure that my chicken will take about 2 hrs. to cook.
Tomorrow, I am going to stuff the bird and then put the rest of the stuffing in a casserole. 

Today I will make the stuffing and roast my squash. I have always cut the squash in half and put them upside down in a pan with a little water added. I just found that squash cooks well... just cut in half, butter added, and placed in a low pan (right side up) that is covered loosely with foil...no need for water. My squash is more flavorful this way and not as watery. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? 

We won't be having dessert tomorrow, but with a dinner like this...who needs dessert?
Balisha



I'm back at 6:30 pm. Here's a picture of our chicken. Turns out it was 8 lbs. Like a small turkey. Roasting it in the bag gave me a moist chicken. The dinner was delicious and there are leftovers! See you tomorrow...
Balisha




12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ya need to know that this chicken is not just an ordinary chicken but a PERDUE ROASTER that weighs 6+ pounds.
Outstanding!

Joe

Balisha said...

Oops...I may need to roast it longer.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

you are practicing for thanksgiving ;)

I haven't done one in those bags for years...will have to get one the next shopping trip :)

Last week I bought a split turkey breast versus a roasting chicken as for some reason it was half the price as a chicken...so I just did it in the crockpot and saved some of the leftovers for soup.

Love your poem..so cute! :)

Blondie's Journal said...

If I'm in the area I'll be sure to stop by! Yum...it all sounds so good! And I love the poem...I read it aloud to my husband and daughter and the were quite impressed! :)

XO,
Jane

Balisha said...

Wish I could have all my blog friends here.
We aren't cooking on Thanksgiving. Too close to our big family gathering here on the 1st...so we are going out to eat.. nearby
Joe's not comfortable traveling far in the car... and this way our kids can do their own thing with other family.
Balisha

lynne said...

I love your poem! So creative! Of course, I now have a taste for roast chicken.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I had to smile as I read your post this morning. Right now as I write this, there is a fat chicken sitting in our refrigerator waiting to be roasted. Tomorrow is the day. Howard adores sweet potatoes so we will have those.
I have never used one of those roasting bags but I know folks who have and they love them. I just sit my chicken in my slow cooker usually..but this time it will go in the over because of the dressing. I usually make giblet dressing..which is our favorite.
I do use the butter of course and everything like you do..I just tent my chicken with foil. However...NOW I am tempted to go to the store for some of those roasting bags like you use. Sounds like a wonderful idea to me. Yep. I am going to do just that. :) As always, you have been a blessing to me today...
Big hugs to you, Balisha.

Judy said...

Lovely dinner plans and a great poem!!

RURAL said...

Chicken dinner always sounds delish..I can imagine the tasty scents wafting through the air right now.

Jen

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...

I enjoyed your poem! You've got me starving for a great big roasted chicken, with lots of stuffing, and maybe some roasted brussel sprouts. It's the perfect weather for it.

Those roasting bags work great for me. I had never heard of them until a friend of mine told me about them several years ago. It seems that the chicken roasts faster in the bag and stays moister. I like to season my chicken with ground marjoram, as it is similar tasting to sage but not quite so astringent.

MsGraysea said...

Looks so delicious, I think I can smell it way over here on Cape Cod!

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Love this post
and you gave me an idea
I have never used a
roasting bag :)