Let There Be Chicken!

Snowmageddon was bust, at least in my neck of the woods. Thankfully, we did not get slammed with high winds or too many inches of snow. This storm did not bring downed trees or power outages. This storm did not bring mayhem or fury and thank goodness too! The most damage this latest storm did was ferociously eat up our school district's last snow day. From here on out, we will eat into our summer break should old man winter decide to make any more visits.

My husband Russell, worked from home and our daughter, Mia lazed about and watched Harry Potter movies while I worked on the final bits of my cookbook. I made snowy day pancakes with chocolate chips (for Mia) plain (for Russell) and blueberries (for myself.) I served the pancakes piled high with both butter and real maple syrup and French press coffee.

As the day spread out before us I announced, "Let there be chicken." I saw that it would be good. I stuffed towels where the bag of tricks used to be and placed the chicken in the refrigerator to dry out while Harry, Ron and Hermione vowed to fight Voldemort. Russ worked, Mia lazed and I edited, in between bowls of popcorn and fluffy snowfall. Before I roasted the chicken to crispy, golden yumminess, I slathered it with rapeseed oil from England, seasoned it with homemade herb salt, laid it to rest on a bed of mixed potatoes, celery and carrots and then tied it's legs to promote even cooking. I wished it well as it roasted at 350 degrees until it measured 165 degrees. (Please DO NOT be fooled into thinking chicken is fully cooked when/if juices run clear! Use a thermometer to be certain it is cooked through! Pierce the chicken in thigh to ensure it's safe to serve.) As the table was set and candles lit, the chicken rested, was carved, served with pan juices and then devoured. The potatoes were creamy and flavorful, the celery sweet and the carrot savory. What a perfect way to end a restful day!

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