Scrumptious Roasted Chicken-The Perfect Holiday Entree

This past weekend, my friends and I hosted a very special holiday dinner. I'd been wanting to make roasted chicken for awhile now. I've made so many different types of chickens in the past-chicken curry, tandoori chicken, chicken tacos, fried chicken--I'd made everything but roasted chicken.

I purchased a whole chicken (not the roasting one) over the weekend. After cleaning it thoroughly, I allowed it to drain in a colander while I made the brine. I combined a cup of boiling water with half a 1/4 cup of salt. Once it dissolved, I pulled it off the burner and poured it into a measuring cup to cool. Once the brine was cooled, I poured it on the kitchen and inside the cavitiy.

The chicken soaked in brine overnight.

The following morning, I poured the remaining brine out, pat dried the chicken and marinated it with the following:

Lemon pepper
black pepper
fresh garlic minced
paprika
1 lemon

The chicken marinated for about 5 hours. An hour and a half before I was to serve it, I placed it the oven at 350 degrees (remember, it takes about 6 minutes to warm up). I poked the lemon, cut the stems and placed it inside the chicken's cavity, and cooked it for approximately 90 minutes. Once it cooked, I allowed it to sit in the oven for about 10 minutes before carving it. (FYI: to check that the chicken is cooked, simply stick it with a knife and make sure that the juices are clear and the meat is tender).

Carving the chicken was also a first, but it turned out to be fantastic. It simply melted in our mouths!

Happy Holidays!

XOXO,
Indian Girl in the Kitchen

The Orangery: A Delightful Tea in Kensington Garden

It was an unseasonably, warm, September day. I had just returned from Windsor where my best friend and I toured the grounds of Windsor Castle followed by a scrumptious lunch at a local pub. We made our way back to London by train to our final stop before making our way through England.

Before leaving for London, one of my dearest friends, Rachel, had presented me with a list of "must dos" while in London. On the top of the list was tea at the Orangery. "You cannot leave London without having tea here", she insisted,pointing it on her list-- and she was right.

After a short tour of Kensington Palace, we meandered throught Kensington gardens to the Orangery. I was in awe when we entered the restaurant. The ambience was a combination of sophistication and ultra noveau. The restaurant's decor was very simple with white tablecloth tables and properly laid china. The crowd mixed with elderly English ladies in their finest teatime attire to young families. Our server was young and donned in all black.

Once we were seated, I took a look at the view--it was breathtaking. From our seats, we had the perfect view of Kensington Gardens.I ordered a pot of tea with a slice of carrot cake and a couple cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches while my best friend indulge in a slice of Belgian Chocolate Cake. "I am sorry, but I cannot resist," she said.

Both of us enjoyed our afternoon tea that day. Finally, it was time to leave, and we made our way through the gardens and later through Hyde Park ...the perfect way to say our farewells to London.

Cheers!

The Holiday Season is Finally Upons Us ....

The holiday season is finally upon us-yes it is! Though, I have a rather tight budget this year, I am planning to take full advantage of some of my favorite holiday activities:

A Very Special Holiday Dinner with My Closest Friends: Next Sunday, a few of my girlfriends and I are getting together for a very special holiday dinner with roasted chicken and all the delicious sides associated with the holiday season: cream potatoes, casserole and hopefully, a chocolate log for dessert! Plus, they'll sure be some bubbly to toast with.

Tea at the Mandarian Oriental: This is a new tradition. Last year, my girlfriends and I got together for a holiday tea at the Ritz Carlton in Pentagon City. It was lovely. We sat by a warm fire, sipped delcious Darjeling tea and indulged in savory and sweet treats. This year, we have decided to have tea at the Mandarian and exchange Christmas gifts. The Mandarian is a beautiful hotel located not far from the Smithsonian and National Mall.

My first experience at the Mandarian was delightful. We had celebrated the arrival of my friend Lisa's baby with a teatime affair there in June. We sat outside, sipping tea, overlooking the Potomac. It was beautiful.

In addition to all the fun activities, I am planning to throw on my apron, and get behind the stove, to create some favorite treats for my favorite people. Definitely on the list: my favorite chocolate cookies. I might even try fudge so if any of you have some great recipes, please share!