beercan chicken, no beer can


Originally uploaded by Box and Arrow.

It's too hot to roast a chicken inside the house, so I thought I'd try this variation from our usual butterflied chicken on the grill. Very south beach friendly!

1 chicken, not to tall (hmmm)

lemons

trader joe's parmasan-cheese dip (or your own skin-stuffing, advice below)

salt, pepper, oil



determine what end will be up (stuffing end goes down, because of the larger hole). From the up end, slide fingers carefully under the breast skin to make a pocket, being more careful even than usual to not break through to the big opening end (stuff will slide out if you do). After making good room, including little pockets around the legs, slide in the stuffing. I like to use trader joe's dips (thicker ones for this process) or a blend of fresh herbs and garlic, lightly sauteed, or fine minced mushrooms (duxelle) cooked with butter, then cooled down. Some times Just lemon slices, or slices of bacon can work, or raw garlic cloves and rosemary. you are protecting the breast to keep it moist as well as flavor it. I used the dip and slices of lemon. I took the two end slices, and place on inside the chicken to keep the top of the contraption from sliding through the top hole, then added the second end inside the chicken skin on the outside end, and attached the chicken skin to it with toothpicks, seeling the shole to presevre steam. I worked with the chicken on the contraption, btw. Extra lemon i tossed int eh bottom of the pan, poured oil over the chicken and salt and peppered the outside.



I placed it on the grill wher it barely fit and closed it. we have a webber gas grill, which was set on high. After ten minutes, I turned down to medium,a nd bagan braising wiht the fat that ran out of the chicken. The chicken cooked for a good hour and a half, like a roasted chicken. It was fully cooked, very tasty (philippe loved it) and slightly smoky inside. The lemon confit'd and was terrific. I tossed the gizzards into the bottom of the contraction when there was a half-hour left, and added to the grill corn in aluminum foil (with butter and lemon pepper) and a couple baken potatoes. It works.