'n Man is nie 'n Klip nie...

 

Die Hermanus vakansie, soos gewoonlik, het alles om die braai gedraai ... Hulle’t by hul huis gebraai, by pêlle, familie, skoon familie en by nuwe pêlle uitgebraai. Daar was snoek, kreef, prawns, vark, bees en skaap. Pasta, pap, roosterkoek, pannekoek en groen mielies Alles wat op ‘n vuur kon pas. Bloos, Kaalvoet Meisie, Posmeester en Kleinboet was altyd op die lys. Die vriendinne het die lekkerste slaaie gemaak maar die Pa van haar kinders sê hy’t nie met slaai grootgeword nie. Maandagaand, terug in Pretoria, bedien sy haar weergawe van ‘n slaaitjie. Warm uit die oond. Smile Pappie Smile ...

Recipe – Chicken under a Brick

You’ll need:

  • 1 whole chicken, butterflied
  • 3 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1 head garlic, halved
  • 2 lemons, sliced into thin rings
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 3 tbs extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt & pepper

 How to?

Pre-heat the oven to 215C
1. To prep the chicken you’ll need a pair of heavy duty scissors.
Place the chicken breast side down on a clean surface, cut along the back bone, one side at a time, through the ribs and remove the bones.
‘Open’ the chicken out and turn over. Flatten the breastbone with the heel of your hand, so the meat is all one thickness. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and turn over so the breast side faces you.
2. In a small bowl, mix the grated garlic, olive oil, 2 tsp of salt, a generous amount of fresh black pepper and some of the herbs.
3. Insert your fingers to separate the skin from the breast and thighs, and rub some of the mixture under the skin and over the skin.
4. Place the chicken breast side down on your sheet pan.
5. Place some lemon rings and garlic head around the chicken - not under.
6. Rub the remaining garlic and oil over the chicken, and place the rest of the lemon rings on top and add the fresh herbs to the pan.
7. Place the sheet pan over the stove on high heat, and place the second sheet pan over the chicken, with brick weighing it down. Leave for a few minutes, so the chicken skin develops a good char. Remove from the stove and place in the hot oven to bake.
8. 35-40 minutes later: remove brick and sheet pan, take the chicken out the oven.
9. Use tongs and a large spatula to turn the chicken breast side up. Return to oven for another 15-20 minutes to cook through for the skin to brown and crisp up.
10. Transfer chicken, lemons and garlic to a serving plate. Strain the pan drippings to a gravy bowl and season to taste.