Roast Chicken with Apples and Rosemary

The universal appeal of roast chicken stems from the memories it evokes. Everyone can conjure a moment in time when they argued with a loved one over the all important leg. The perfect roast chicken — golden brown and gleaming, tender and juicy — engages each of the five senses.

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

4-6 fresh apples, quartered and cored
3 onions, peeled and cut into large chunks
3 heads of garlic, broken Into cloves and peeled
8 sprigs fresh rosemary
4 lemons quartered (reserve one for garnish)
½ cup Raimondo Winery Sicilian Lemon Balsamic Vinegar
2 roasting chickens
1 can of stock (chicken or veggie)
Make a seasoning rub with the following: garlic powder, salt, pepper, and thyme

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Position a rack in the lower third of the oven.  Rinse the chicken, then dry it very well with paper towels, inside and out.

Place apples, rosemary, 3 lemons, onions, and garlic in a single layer in shallow roasting pan. Season with salt and pepper. Toss well and pour in the vinegar. Season the chicken well with the rub and place breast-side-up on top of the veggies and fruits. Put the rest of the veggies and fruit in the cavity of the chicken.

Roast for 30 minutes, until the breast is firm and just beginning to brown in spots. Using tongs, turn the chicken breast-down and roast for 20 minutes longer, until the skin is lightly browned and the thermometer registers 175° to 180°.

Tilt the chicken to drain the cavity juices into the pan and remove the goodies from the inside and bottom of pan.  Now transfer the bird to a cutting board. Remove the rack from the pan and spoon off the fat. Set the pan over high heat. Add the stock and cook, scraping up any browned bits and leftover pieces of goodies. Squeeze the last lemon to release the juices. Carve the chicken and pass the chunky jus at the table.

Recommended Wine Pairing:

2010 Raimondo Winery Oaked Chardonnay

2010 Raimondo Winery Verdelho