Mmmmm....Not Cookies

Last night, in the midst of Don't Stop The Cookie Madness (aka Stop In the Name of Cookies) (aka Stop! Cookie-Time!), Charles and I enjoyed a roast chicken. I say "enjoyed" because by that time I was more than ready for something savory.

In case you never make them, you should know that a roast chicken is about the easiest thing in the world. Nothing to it. And they're soooooooooo (ooooooo) good. Plus, if you have a small family (like we do) there will be delicious leftovers to enjoy.

Here's what you do: buy a small chicken (they say "roasters" and "fryers" but I think it's all bunk. Get a small one and don't worry about what it's called). Small is like 2 pounds or so, but don't stress about it.

Preheat your oven to 300. Yes, 300 F.

Get this: A small chicken; some waxy potatoes; a sweet onion; some carrots; some garlic; a lemon; some olive oil and butter; chicken brother or stock; salt, pepper and the herbs of your choice, fresh or dried.

Do this: Put the chicken in a roasting pan. You can use anything. I use a Pyrex lasagna dish, and I use a lightweight rack. It's fine. If you don't have a rack it will be fine. Just chuck that chicken in.

Pat it dry, then drizzle it with olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper on it. I like to run my fingers under the breast skin and then insert some slices of butter in there. You can do that if you wish. I think it makes the skin crispier.

Chop up some veggies and add them to the pan. I like waxy potatoes, carrots, and sliced sweet onion. I also like to quarter a lemon and add that, slightly squeezed, for acid. Sprinkle those veggies with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil (or throw in more butter, whatever). Sometimes I put a couple of the onion wedges and lemon bits in the cavity of the chicken. Chop up some garlic* and sprinkle it into the pan (with the veg - if you put it on the chicken it will burn)

Now add something yummy. Thyme is good, or oregano, or adobo or shawarma, it doesn't matter. Sprinkle it generously over the chicken and the veg. Pour in a little chicken broth/stock.

Stick it in the oven and walk away. For 3 hours. Just do whatever. Don't mind the smell - it's going to draw people to your house. Just tell them you don't know why they're drooling uncontrollably and it's certainly not your fault and they better go before you call the cops.

After 2 hours, you can baste if you want. Or not. Whatever. After 3 hours it's ridiculously good. Take it out and let it rest (don't cover it unless you want to soften the skin, and why would you want that???), eat it and be happy.

*Above, the locally-grown garlic I get at the farmer's market. Usually, I buy Music, which is a variety with an incredible potato-like crunch. But these are German White, and they're adorable. They're about the size of your two thumbs put together, but the cloves are regular-sized. There's only about 4 per head. And delicious-ous-ous.