Chapter 9: Umm Tastes Like Chicken: Poultry Dishes
the poutry just above the pan so the poultry will cook from 360 degrees. The
follow instructions are a general guideline for roasting poultry:- Preheat your oven to 500 degrees.
- Using a roasting pan with 3-inch-high sides, add water or broth to fill
the pan with one inch of liquid.
If you plan to use the liquid as gravy, chicken broth adds more flavor
than water. The liquid in the pan keeps the drippings from the poultry
from burning or evaporating from the pan.
- Place your roasting rack over the liquid and put the cut of poultry on
the rack.
The roasting rack lifts the poultry just above the pan so the heat from
the oven can cook the bird all the way around.
- Place your prepared poultry into the preheated oven and roast for
5 minutes.
The high heat sears the outside of the bird and locks in the moisture.
- Turn down the heat to 325 degrees and continue to roast until your
poultry is cooked to your desired doneness.
To use a meat thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the
poultry and stay clear of cartilage and bone. The thermometer takes
about 20 seconds to register the internal temperature.
Some meat thermometers are oven safe, meaning they can be left in
the meat while it cooks in the oven, but unless yours specifically states
“oven safe,” assume it isn’t. Remove it from the oven as soon as you get
a temperature reading.
Roasting bags are available in stores, but they don’t really roast your food.
They braise the food (cook it in liquid), causing poultry to be moist but chewy.Poultry skin, which is fat, naturally bastes (moistens) the poultry as it cooks.
When you’re grilling, baking, or roasting, you can leave the skin on, but
remove the skin before eating to avoid adding extra fat to your meal. If you
choose not to use the skin when cooking, you need to baste the chicken with a
healthy substitute such as canola or olive oil to help keep it moist.Roasted, Sautéed, and Baked Poultry
This section has recipes that will keep your house wafting with the aroma of
delicious poultry. These easy-to-make poultry dishes will keep your family
coming back for more.