SMOKED PIMENTON RECIPES

Steps:

• Smoked paprika is sold at most supermarkets. Look for hot smoked paprika, sometimes labeled Pimentón Picante or Pimentón de La Vera Picante, at specialty foods stores.
• Mix garlic, salt, oil, and both paprikas in a small bowl; mix to blend well. Using your hands, smear paste all over outside of chickens, rubbing to coat the skin. Place 1 bunch of thyme inside the cavity of each bird. Chill, uncovered, for at least 4 hours or overnight (for more flavor).
• Let chickens stand at room temperature for 1 hour. If paste has clumped, rub to evenly distribute. Cut each potato in half lengthwise, then lengthwise into 4 thick wedges (steak-fry style). Place in a large bowl; season generously with salt and pepper. Drizzle in oil and, using your hands, toss well to coat. Spread potatoes in a single layer in a large roasting pan or on a large rimmed baking sheet.
• Preheat oven to 500°. Place chickens side by side atop potatoes in roasting pan. (Alternatively, chicken and potatoes can be roasted separately on 2 large rimmed baking sheets.)
• Roast chickens and potatoes for 30 minutes. Remove from oven; turn potatoes, rearranging chickens if needed. Reduce oven heat to 425°. Continue roasting chickens and potatoes until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of the thighs registers 165°, about 20 minutes longer. Let rest for 15 minutes.
• Transfer potatoes to 1–2 platters; sprinkle with parsley and scallions. Arrange chickens on top of potatoes. Dust lightly with smoked paprika.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425º. Rinse chicken inside and out, removing excess fat. Pat dry.
• In a small skillet, heat the olive oil and garlic over medium-low until the garlic sizzles and begins to fragrance the oil. Remove from heat. When olive oil and garlic mixture is cool, remove the garlic with a slotted spoon and set both oil and garlic aside.
• With a mortar and pestle, pound the saffron threads into a a powder. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, the pimenton and the reserved olive oil. Stir until smooth.
• Pat the inside of the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Insert the garlic slices and the orange chunks into the cavity. Using a spatula, slather the chicken with the spiced oil on all sides.
• Place the chicken with the breast side down on a rack in a roasting pan or in a terra-cotta casserole dish. Roast for 40 minutes. Then turn the chicken breast side up, baste it with the pan juices, and continue roasting until the chicken is browned and the skin is crisp - Approximately 20-30 minutes. The juices should run clear when the thigh is pricked.
• Allow the chicken to rest at least 20 minutes before carving.