Salmon with Lentils

Mouthwartering, yet still with a crisp coating, this is one perfect chicken.
Directions for: Classic Roast Chicken

Ingredients

Brine

12 cup cold water

cup salt

2 Tbsp sugar

2 clove garlic

2 bay leaves

2 branches fresh thyme

2 branches fresh rosemary

Chicken

1 chicken (about 5 lbs)

1 onion, quartered

3 Tbsp butter, melted

1 tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves

6 large carrots, halved lengthwise

Sauce

1 Tbsp cornstarch

1 Tbsp water

cup white wine

1-1/2 cups chicken broth

1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

salt and pepper

Directions

Brine

1. In a Dutch oven or large pot, bring 1 litre (4 cups) water and the salt, sugar, garlic and herbs to a boil. Stir until the salt has dissolved. Remove from the heat and add the remaining water to cool the mixture. Place the chicken in the brine, breast side down. Refrigerate overnight if possible but at least 2 hours.

Chicken

1. With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 180C (350F).

2. Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry with paper towels.

3. Place the herbs and garlic from the marinade and the onion in the chickens cavity. Brush the outside with butter and pour the remainder in the cavity. Sprinkle the outside with the thyme. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Place the carrots on the bottom of a roasting pan. Set the chicken on top. Insert a meat thermometer into the meat on the inside of the thigh without touching the bone. Roast until the thermometer reads 82C (180F), about 2 hours.

Sauce

1. In a bowl, combine the cornstarch and water. Set aside.

2. After removing the chicken, pour the white wine into the roasting pan. Scrape the bottom of the pan to free up any brown bits. Pour into a small saucepan, add the broth and thyme and bring to a boil. Reduce by half. Whisk in the cornstarch mixture. Simmer 1 minute. Strain into a sauceboat. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Serve the chicken with the sauce.

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