DUTCH OVEN WHOLE CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Arrange a rack in the lower third of the oven, remove the racks above it, and heat to 375°F.
• Season the chicken with the salt. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season inside and out with the salt. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine if desired. Set aside while the oven preheats and while you prepare the dressing ingredients.
• Layer the bread, squash, and onions in the Dutch oven. Layer the bread cubes, squash, and thyme in a 6- to 8-quart Dutch oven. Make a sort of well in the center for the chicken to sit in.
• Add the chicken and roast covered for 1 hour. Place the chicken in the well. Cover and roast for 1 hour.
• Roast uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is golden and tender. Uncover and continue to roast the chicken for another 30 minutes. The skin will become crisp and golden and the meat will be quite tender, like a rotisserie chicken. The juices should run clear and an oven thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh should be at least 165°F.
• Rest the chicken for 15 minutes in the pot. Remove the pot from the oven and let the chicken rest uncovered for 15 minutes.
• Carve and serve. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and carve. Serve with the dressing (bread and squash).

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4.
  2. Peel the garlic, then add to a pestle and mortar with the paprika and half the thyme leaves. Bash well to a rough paste, then muddle in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season.
  3. Zest the lemon into a separate bowl and set aside.
  4. Trim the outer cauliflower leaves. Trim away and discard the stalk so the cauliflower can sit flat, then cut a cross into the base.
  5. Rub the paprika paste all over the cauliflower, then place in a medium casserole pan. Drizzle over the sherry and squeeze the lemon juice on top.
  6. Cover and pop in the hot oven for around 1 hour 20 minutes, or until tender, removing the lid for the final 20 minutes.
  7. Remove the pan from the oven, then pour in the tomatoes, tearing or slicing them up into chunks. Sprinkle over the lemon zest and pick over the remaining thyme leaves.
  8. Return the pan to the oven for a further 10 minutes, or until the cauliflower is golden.
  9. Meanwhile, toast the almonds in a dry frying pan over a medium-low heat until golden, then leave to cool.
  10. Once ready, take the pan out of the oven. Scrunch over the toasted almonds, then pick, roughly chop and scatter the parsley leaves on top.
  11. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, then carve up and serve with pilaf rice and steamed greens, or as part of a bigger spread.