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Baked chicken can warm up a household

FALLBROOK – Chicken can be served in various ways, and that versatility no doubt contributes to the popularity of poultry.

Some people love their chicken fried, while others can't get enough grilled chicken. Baking chicken may not be as popular as frying or grilling it, but baked chicken is no less delicious.

Chicken lovers used to frying or grilling their favorite meals should try the following recipe for "Home-Style Baked Chicken" from Laurie McNamara's "Simply Scratch: 120 Wholesome Homemade Recipes Made Easy" (Avery). It may just make you a baked chicken devotee.

A tasty side dish for baked chicken is mashed potatoes made with sharp white cheddar cheese. Give the recipe a try and enjoy some zing in your potatoes.

Home-Style Baked Chicken

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 1/2 teaspoons poultry seasoning (recipe for mixture below)

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon paprika

4 to 5 pounds skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs and

drumsticks

Cooking:

Preheat the oven and a 9-by-13-inch metal roasting pan to 375 F.

Place the olive oil and butter in the pan and place the pan in the oven on the lower rack.

In a small bowl, combine the poultry seasoning, salt and pepper. Set aside.

Place the flour in a resealable bag. Place a few pieces of the chicken in the flour at a time, seal, and shake to coat. Remove and vigorously shake off any excess flour. Place the flour-dusted chicken on a clean platter. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.

Remove the roasting pan from the oven and immediately arrange the chicken skin-side up in a single layer over the bottom of the pan and then sprinkle with some of the poultry seasoning blend and paprika. It should sizzle.

Place the hot pan back on the lower rack of the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Remove, baste by spooning the juices that have collected in the pan over each piece, and then sprinkle the chicken with the remaining poultry seasoning blend.

Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20 minutes more. Remove and baste one last time before moving the chicken to the middle rack and baking for 10 to 15 minutes more to further crisp the chicken skin.

Let rest for 5 to 8 minutes before serving.

Poultry Seasoning

Makes 3 tablespoons

Ingredients:

3 teaspoons dried thyme

1 1/2 teaspoons dried marjoram

1 teaspoon dried rosemary

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

2 teaspoons paprika

2 teaspoons ground sage

Cooking:

In a spice grinder or using a mortar and pestle, combine 2 teaspoons of the thyme, the marjoram and the rosemary. Blend until finely ground. Transfer to an airtight container and add the remaining 1 teaspoon thyme, the nutmeg, the paprika, and the sage. Store in a dry, dark place for up to six months.

Sharp white cheddar mashed potatoes

Ingredients:

3 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large pieces

Kosher salt

1 1/4 cups whole milk

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

3/4 cup grated sharp white cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon minced fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

Cooking:

Place the peeled potatoes in a pot and add cold water to cover by about 2 inches. Add a generous pinch of salt, cover, and bring to a boil. Crack the lid and cook the potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes, or until fork-tender.

With the lid askew, carefully drain the water from the pot with the potatoes. Return the pot to the stove over low heat. Add the milk and butter to the potatoes, cover, and simmer the potatoes in the milk and butter for 10 to 12 minutes.

Season the potatoes with 3/4 teaspoon of salt and mash with a potato masher or mix with a hand mixer. Add the cheddar and stir to combine. Taste and season with more salt if needed.

Combine the minced parsley and thyme and sprinkle over the potatoes.

 

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