In this dish the garlic subtly flavours the chicken thanks to being blanched before added to the pot. Serve alongside delicious vegetables and a cauliflower purée for an extra special Sunday roast.
Ingredients
For the pot-roasted chicken with garlic
- 1 garlic bulb, cloves peeled
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 carrot, roughly chopped
- 1 stick celery, roughly chopped
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 sprig thyme
- 1.25kg/2lb 12oz whole chicken
- 500ml/18fl oz chicken stock
For the cauliflower purée
- 1 cauliflower, leaves removed and cut into florets
- 500ml/18fl oz milk
For the vegetables
- 1 bunch baby beetroots
- 1 bunch baby heritage carrots, trimmed
- 50g/1¾oz unsalted butter
- 1 head of kale
Method
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Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4.
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Bring a small saucepan of water to the boil and add the garlic for 30 seconds. Blanch and refresh in ice cold water. Repeat once more, changing the water.
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Heat the oil in a large, lidded casserole dish. Add the vegetables, garlic and herbs and cook for 2-3 minutes. Put the chicken on top and pour in the stock. Put on the lid and roast for 1½ hours, or until cooked through. Remove the lid for the last half hour of cooking.
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Meanwhile, for the purée place the cauliflower and milk in a large saucepan and cook for 8-10 minutes. Drain, reserving the milk. Place the cauliflower in a blender and add one ladle full of milk at a time until the purée reaches a smooth consistency.
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Bring a large pan of water to the boil and cook the beetroots for 10-12 minutes, or until tender. Drain the beetroots and leave to cool, then peel.
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Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil, add the carrots and cook for 2-3 minutes, then drain.
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Heat a large frying pan and add the butter, when foaming add the beetroots, carrots and kale. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
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Leave the chicken to rest covered in foil. Strain the liquid left in the casserole into a saucepan and reduce over a medium heat until you have the consistency of gravy.
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Carve the chicken and place on plates with the vegetables. Pour over the gravy and serve.