Perfect Roast Chicken

I am roasting a chicken for dinner tonight. When it is cold outside, I take the opportunity to warm the house by roasting all kinds of food in the oven. Most of the year, I don't roast for long periods of time because then we have to turn the air conditioning down- and it costs money! I know that you feel bad for us down here in the Sunshine State!

I love Ina Garten. Her recipes are simple and delicious. I adapted this recipe for what I have available and it still turns out delicious. Publix didn't have fennel- so we won't have fennel tonight. I have fresh rosemary so I am adding that to it. I love rosemary.

Ina Garten's Perfect Roast Chicken

INGREDIENTS
1 (5 to 6 pound) roasting chicken
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 large bunch fresh thyme, plus 20 sprigs
1 lemon, halved
1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter, melted
1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced
4 carrots cut into 2-inch chunks
1 bulb of fennel, tops removed, and cut into wedges
Olive oil


METHOD
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

2. Remove the chicken giblets. Rinse the chicken inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pin feathers and pat the outside dry. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the chicken. Stuff the cavity with the bunch of thyme, both halves of lemon, and all the garlic. Brush the outside of the chicken with the butter and sprinkle again with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken. Place the onions, carrots, and fennel in a roasting pan. Toss with salt, pepper, 20 sprigs of thyme, and olive oil. Spread around the bottom of the roasting pan and place the chicken on top.

3. Roast the chicken for 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh. Remove the chicken and vegetables to a platter and cover with aluminium foil for about 20 minutes. Slice the chicken onto a platter and serve it with the vegetables.

What are you eating for dinner tonight? Anything that you would like to share?