Skillet Roast Cicken & Potatoes

Emma prepared dinner the other night, and it was one of the best meals we've had in a long time! She slightly adapted the recipe from the Feb/Mar 2014 Cook's Country magazine.

3 T. olive oil
2 t. minced fresh thyme
1 1/2 t. smoked paprika
1 1/2 t. grated lemon zest
Salt & pepper
1 whole chicken
2 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and sliced 1" thick rounds.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine 2 T. oil, thyme, paprika, zest, 1 t. salt and 1/2 t. pepper. Pat chicken dry and rub oil mixture all over chicken and underneath skin of breast. Truss chicken.

Toss potatoes with remaining oil, 1 1/2 t. salt and 1/2 t.  pepper. Arrange potatoes, flat sides down, in single layer in oven safe nonstick skillet. Place skillet over medium heat and cook potatoes, without moving them, until brown on bottom, 7 to 9 minutes (do not flip).

Place chicken, breast side up, on top of potatoes and transfer skillet to oven. Roast until breast registers 160 degrees and thighs 175 degrees. 60-75 minutes or so. Tent loosely with foil and let rest for 10 minutes.

If you want the complete experience, make this soft & sweet buttermilk honey bread and your favorite veg.

Heaven!

Carrot-Ginger Soup

Sometimes the simplest recipes get overcomplicated as more and more versions are made. For this carrot-ginger soup, we decided to go back to the basics. With a combination of cooked carrots and carrot juice, we were able to get well-rounded, fresh carrot flavor. Using a mixture of ginger products, we were able to get bright, refreshing ginger flavor with a moderate kick of heat. Finally, for a smooth texture without the fuss of straining, we added a touch of baking soda to help break down the carrots and ginger, producing a silken creamy result. In addition to sour cream and chives, serve the soup with homemade buttery croutons (recipe follows).

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 onions, chopped fine
1/4 cup minced crystallized ginger
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
1 teaspoon sugar
2 pounds carrots, peeled and sliced 1/4" thick
1 1/2 cups carrot juice
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
chopped chives
sour cream

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions, crystallized ginger, fresh ginger, garlic, 2 teaspoons salt, and sugar; cook, stirring frequently, until onions are softened but not browned, 5 to 7 minutes.

2. Increase heat to high; add carrots, 4 cups of water, 3/4 cup carrot juice, thyme sprigs, and baking soda and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until carrots are very tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

3. Discard thyme sprigs. Working in batches, process soup in blender until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes (or use an immersion blender). Return soup to clean pot and stir in vinegar and remaining 3/4 cup carrot juice. (Soup can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.) Return to simmer over medium heat and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with a sprinkle of chives and a dollop of sour cream.

Buttery Croutons
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 large slices hearty white sandwich bread, cut into 1/2" cubes

Heat butter and oil in 12-inch skillet over medium heat. When foaming subsides, add bread cubes and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer croutons to paper towel-lined plate and season with salt to taste.