Hed Chef
No ordinary spring chicken
By Hedy Khoo
September 07, 2009
CLOTHES: BCBGMAXAZRIA LOCATION: kitchen culture at Leng Kee Road. MAKE-UP & HAIR: Helen Wong from Make Up For Ever Academy (Tel: 63330678)
MEN are not the only ones looking out for spring chickens. Women do too.
The only difference is that while men do it at nightclubs and pubs, women generally tend to do it at the chilled poultry section of the supermarket.
Of course, there are mature women who prefer younger men. Not surprising, considering that youth does have its advantages in terms of energy and vitality.
It's all about personal choice and preference. Do you want old, distinguished, established, moneyed and wrinkly, or a wrinkle-free 20-something with a premature pot belly?
There is no guarantee that a man in his 30s, or even 20s is in great shape. Worse, you may have to pay for his gym membership as a desperate hint.
The most important thing to know is, whichever choice you may make, it is likely that you may not end up with what you really want. This is often the case with all things life has to offer.
And this is where comfort food comes in.
A youthful chicken of the edible variety is far easier to handle and much easier on the eyes.
Leave it alone to marinade quietly and I promise you, it won't complain.
Straight from the oven, this is one spring chicken that promises to be smoking hot, just the way I like it.
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INGREDIENTS
1 spring chicken
1 tbsp butter, allow it to melt
6 cloves
5 sprigs of fresh rosemary
MARINADE
1 tbsp whole grain mustard
1 tsp ground thyme
1 tsp parsley flakes
1 tsp chopped basil
4 tbsp dry white wine or sherry
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp oyster sauce
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne papper
Few shakes of coarse black pepper
1. Clean chicken and pat dry. Place chicken with wing tips facing downwards, drumsticks facing towards you, cut out the back bone.
2. In a bowl, place chicken and rub the marinade mixture all over it. Stick cloves into the chicken breasts, drumsticks and under the wings. Allow the chicken to marinade for at least an hour. If possible, marinade it the night before roasting.
3. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Celsius.
4. Prepare roasting pan with rack. Place 2 sprigs of rosemary under the rack. Lightly grease rack before placing chicken on it with boneside facing up. Place remaining rosemary sprigs on it. Lower the oven temperature to 220 degrees Celsius and put chicken in for 15 minutes.
5. Baste chicken with marinade mixture and butter. Lower temperature to 180 degrees Celsius and allow to roast for another 15 minutes.
6. Turn chicken over. Baste it with remaining juices. Allow to roast for another 10 to 15 minutes. To check if chicken is cooked, skewer. It is done if the juices run clear.
7. Serve with french fries.
No ordinary spring chicken
By Hedy Khoo
September 07, 2009
CLOTHES: BCBGMAXAZRIA LOCATION: kitchen culture at Leng Kee Road. MAKE-UP & HAIR: Helen Wong from Make Up For Ever Academy (Tel: 63330678)
MEN are not the only ones looking out for spring chickens. Women do too.
The only difference is that while men do it at nightclubs and pubs, women generally tend to do it at the chilled poultry section of the supermarket.
Of course, there are mature women who prefer younger men. Not surprising, considering that youth does have its advantages in terms of energy and vitality.
It's all about personal choice and preference. Do you want old, distinguished, established, moneyed and wrinkly, or a wrinkle-free 20-something with a premature pot belly?
There is no guarantee that a man in his 30s, or even 20s is in great shape. Worse, you may have to pay for his gym membership as a desperate hint.
The most important thing to know is, whichever choice you may make, it is likely that you may not end up with what you really want. This is often the case with all things life has to offer.
And this is where comfort food comes in.
A youthful chicken of the edible variety is far easier to handle and much easier on the eyes.
Leave it alone to marinade quietly and I promise you, it won't complain.
Straight from the oven, this is one spring chicken that promises to be smoking hot, just the way I like it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INGREDIENTS
1 spring chicken
1 tbsp butter, allow it to melt
6 cloves
5 sprigs of fresh rosemary
MARINADE
1 tbsp whole grain mustard
1 tsp ground thyme
1 tsp parsley flakes
1 tsp chopped basil
4 tbsp dry white wine or sherry
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp oyster sauce
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne papper
Few shakes of coarse black pepper
1. Clean chicken and pat dry. Place chicken with wing tips facing downwards, drumsticks facing towards you, cut out the back bone.
2. In a bowl, place chicken and rub the marinade mixture all over it. Stick cloves into the chicken breasts, drumsticks and under the wings. Allow the chicken to marinade for at least an hour. If possible, marinade it the night before roasting.
3. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Celsius.
4. Prepare roasting pan with rack. Place 2 sprigs of rosemary under the rack. Lightly grease rack before placing chicken on it with boneside facing up. Place remaining rosemary sprigs on it. Lower the oven temperature to 220 degrees Celsius and put chicken in for 15 minutes.
5. Baste chicken with marinade mixture and butter. Lower temperature to 180 degrees Celsius and allow to roast for another 15 minutes.
6. Turn chicken over. Baste it with remaining juices. Allow to roast for another 10 to 15 minutes. To check if chicken is cooked, skewer. It is done if the juices run clear.
7. Serve with french fries.
