Cheat’s roast chicken and gravy

ingredients

• Cheat’s roast chicken

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 carrot, chopped
  • 1 cup sage and onion stuffing mix
  • 2 spring onions, finely chopped
  • 40 gram butter, softened
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon chopped thyme
  • 4 chicken marylands
  • 1 kilogram pumpkin, cut into wedges
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • peas to serve

• Gravy

  • 2 tablespoon plain flour
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 1 1/4 cup chicken stock

method

• Cheat’s roast chicken

  • 1

    Preheat oven to 200°C. Line a tray with baking paper.

  • 2

    Place onion and carrot in a medium roasting dish. Position an oiled rack over the top (see tip).

  • 3

    In a large bowl, combine stuffing mix, onion, butter, water and thyme. Mix well and season. Carefully run fingers under chicken skin to loosen, then fill pockets with stuffing.

  • 4

    Place chicken skin-side up on rack and season. Roast for 30-35 minutes until chicken is golden, crisp and cooked through when tested with a skewer – the juices should run clear.

  • 5

    Toss pumpkin in oil, then spread in a single layer on tray and season. Bake with chicken for 20 minutes until tender and golden.

  • 6

    Serve chicken with roast pumpkin, gravy and peas.

• Gravy

  • 1

    Strain cooking juices into a medium saucepan, discarding vegetables. Bring to a simmer on high. Stir in flour, then cook for 1 minute. Pour in wine, stirring until simmering. Gradually stir in stock until smooth and combined. Simmer for 3 minutes, stirring, then season to taste.

notes

• To get crispy chicken skin, roast chicken pieces on a raised rack – this allows hot air to circulate underneath for faster cooking.