The Holiday Bistro...

This year with the holiday season as inspiration, we have been creating atmosphere by eating dinner under holiday lights with Christmas music playing softly. So I thought I would add a new section to my blog and share some of our more adventurous meals here. ..

Last week we invited some friends over for dinner this week so in typical Shelley-fashion I googled recipes, filled my shopping cart full of goodies, donned my polka dot apron, and began cooking. The menu was Garlic Roasted Chicken with white wine sauce, roasted potatoes, salad, sourdough bread with olive oil and rosemary and for the most important course (yes, I love dessert!)...red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients:

1 4 lb. whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2-3 whole heads of garlic, cloves seperated (40 cloves) but not peeled

Olive oil

1 1/4 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc

3 large sprigs of fress tarragon

3 large sprigs of fresh thyme

Method:

1. Lightly smash the garlic cloves with the side of a heavy chef's knife, just enough to break the cloves. Leave peel on.

2. Trim the chicken pieces of excess fat. Pat them dry and sprinkle pieces generously with sale and pepper. Heat 3 Tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven (or a large thick-bottom pan with a tight fitting cover) on medium high. Working in batches, brown the chicken pieces on all sides. Lay the chicken pieces on the hot oil, do not move until browned, then turn over to other side using tongs. Remove from pan when browned.

3. Add a little more olive oil to the pan if necessary. add the garlic and saute until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Add the wine and the herbs. Bring to a boil. Add the chicken pieces. Reduce the heat to medium low. Cover the pan and simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Move the chicken pieces from top to bottom every 5 minutes for about 20 minutes.

Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer chicken pieces to a platter; spoon garlic sauce over the chicken.

courtesy: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/