An aromatic and warming spice mix, slow-cooked or roasted chicken, crispy golden potatoes, and simple home-made gravy! A comforting meal for a challenging year.
We made it! 2020 is slowly drawing to a close. It felt like it would never end. 2020 has presented us with more than a few difficult moments. It’s going to be nice to retire this one to the history books.
Before we welcome in 2021, what better way to mark the end of the year and close the chapter on 2020 than by getting together with your nearest and dearest, sharing a meal, and debriefing on the unprecedented (had to say it) events and challenges 2020 has thrown at us.
A comfort food treat!
This recipe is sure to soothe and satisfy. It can be adapted to fit your personal taste and the kitchen appliances you have in your home. The spice rub will work well with turkey, chicken, or even pork. If you don’t eat meat, not a problem. Simply use the rub mixture to season a marrow or nut loaf or anything else you like. Whatever you want to put on the table this holiday season, this spice rub will take it up a notch or two.
If you have the patience, a slow cooker can produce a meal worthy of the wait. The meat will be oh so tender, juicy and flavourful having had ample time to absorb all the goodness of the spice rub.
If you don’t have a slow cooker and want something a little quicker just roast this dish in the oven. Either way, you’re going to be more than pleased with the result. This is comfort food at its best!
Ingredients:
Spice Rub
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon fennel seed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion salt
Other Ingredients
- Your choice of chicken/turkey/marrow or whatever suits your household
- 1kg of white potatoes
- 2 ¾ cups of chicken stock
- 50g butter
- ¼ cup of plain flour
- Teaspoon of thyme leaves
- Tablespoon of parsley
- Olive oil
Method: Slow Cooker
Step One
Combine spices in a mixing bowl and add salt and pepper to taste. Rub chicken with spice mixture making sure to apply generously and evenly.
Step Two
Place potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker and pour in ¾ of a cup of chicken stock. Place chicken on top of the potatoes and cook on low for 5-6 hours.
Step Three
Line a large baking tray with baking paper and transfer the chicken from the slow cooker to a separate plate. Cover chicken with foil and leave to rest. Allow 15 minutes resting time for the juices to settle.
Step Four
Use a slotted spoon (this will drain potatoes of cooking juices) to transfer potatoes from the slow cooker to the prepared baking tray. Transfer baking tray to the oven and roast the potatoes at 240 Celsius, for 20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. When potatoes are finished season with parsley.
Step Five
To make a gravy, melt butter in a pan, slowly add and stir in the flour. When butter and flour are mixed to a uniform consistency, add and whisk in ½ cup of the cooking juices from the slow cooker, as well as the remaining stock and thyme. Simmer gently, stirring constantly, until mixture bubbles and thickens. Serve with your choice of greens or salad!
Method: Oven
Step One
Rub chicken in spice mixture as described above.
Step Two
Place chicken in a roasting tray at 200 Celsius or 180 Celsius if using a fan-forced oven (allow approximately 20 minutes roasting time per 500g. E.g., a 2kg Chicken will need to roast for 1 hour and 20 minutes). Add a dash of olive oil to the roasting tin. Cover with tin foil for the first 30-40 minutes before removing the foil to finish. This will ensure crispy skin and tender meat.
Step Three
Add potatoes to roasting tray allowing at least 30-40 minutes roasting time. For best results turn potatoes after they have been roasting for 15 minutes. When potatoes are finished season with parsley.
Step Four
To make a gravy, melt butter in a separate pan. Slowly add and stir in flour. When the butter and flour mixture reaches a uniform consistency, whisk in ½ cup of the cooking juices from the roasting tray, as well as the remaining stock and thyme. Simmer gently, stirring constantly, until mixture bubbles and thickens. Serve with your choice of greens or salad!
