I must confess that with limited free time and a poorly stocked kitchen (including having to share a bar fridge with a number of housemates), my typical kitchen exploits have been neglected. One of my favourite weekend meals is roast chicken, and I have set out below my simple recipe which is perfect when cooking for one.
The only equipment I use is a Pyrex dish. I picked up mine from Tescos for only ₤2.63 – it measures about 17cm x 10cm and is 5cm deep.
Ingredients
2 chicken breast or thigh pieces, with bones – not fillets. (The lack of butchers/chicken shops has meant I have been buying packaged chicken pieces from the supermarket, and freezing what I don’t immediately use)
Tablespoon of olive oil
Tablespoon of soy sauce (optional)
Salt
Pepper
1 large potato, cut into cubes – there should be enough to make two layers on the base of the dish
2 cloves of garlic – crush them roughly to break the skins and cloves, but leave the skins on
Fresh rosemary (I know, its hard for a student to keep fresh herbs – I have found a large rosemary bush in one of the public parks, and help myself to a few sprigs when I need it!)
2 tablespoons of white wine
What to do:
1.Preheat the oven to 190oC/275oF.
2. Mix the soy sauce and olive oil in a bowl, marinate the chicken pieces in the oily mix, then rub the salt, pepper and some chopped rosemary into the skin and flesh. Let it sit while you start on the potatoes.
3. Boil the potatoes in a pot of water, until you can just push a fork through to the centre.
4. Strain then place the semi-cooked potatoes at the bottom of your dish. Mix in the rosemary sprigs and the garlic pieces with the garlic, and pour in the white wine.
5. Place the chicken pieces on top, then put in the oven for about 30 minutes (our oven here is terribly inconsistent, so I always check on the chicken every 5 minutes or so).
I have found this recipe to make enough for 2 dinners, but then again, I am quite a small eater.
Also, don’t discard the garlic pieces, I like to use the soft garlic as a paste when I am having the chicken!
