It sort of already has, since I started throwing a chicken in the oven every Sunday, just a couple months ago. Not only do we get a nice meal out of it; with the leftovers and the boiling down for stock, it kick starts the week's meal planning as well. Until recently I would usually just throw some veggies in with the bird. Just as that was getting redundant, I found something wonderful in the bulk section at our co-op: dried rice pilaf mix. Heaven sent! This wonderfully simple little bulk buy has led to a tasty, EASY meal that I've now cooked and served 3 times. And I think I've perfected it (for our tastes, anyway), so I've written down the "recipe" here.
-Chicken - small to medium (sorry, don't know the exact size; I think a couple pounds)
*make sure your chicken is GOOD - local, if you can, and free range (for real); good meat means a good meal
-32 oz box of low sodium, organic chicken broth (or use your own homemade stuff!)
-1 1/2 c rice pilaf mix (ours contains a couple different rices & three different beans)
-1 1/2 c mushrooms, sliced
-1 c carrots, sliced or julienned (got julienned in a bag for another meal and they worked wonderfully in this)
-half a medium onion (about 1 c)
-3 large cloves garlic, chopped (get yourself one of these guys - lifesaver!)
Throw it all in a roasting pan, and cook at 450 for about 45 minutes/hour. About half way through, I usually flip the bird. There's plenty of moisture in here to not cover the pan, at least when I do it, and the meat is always super moist and tender.
And, done!
Serve up with some yummy bread and a whole lot of love.
