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