What's for dinner, Part 1

If you're looking for something for dinner tonight, here's an easy menu from our last evening with Jacob's sister and her husband. The whole thing is super easy and totally tasty, but did I mention a light custard? I meant it tastes light...not much diet here...

This roasted chicken + mashed potatoes + apple walnut salad + insert dessert here = classic around my house and has been for a long time. Chances are if you've been over for dinner you've had it...

Roasted Chicken with Lemon, Garlic and Rosemary
Purchase a whole roaster (3-4lbs)
3-4 cloves minced garlic
1 lemon
2-3 sprigs rosemary
3 T olive oil
1 t salt
2T pepper

Remove any interior leftovers from the chicken and make sure cavity is clean. Mix olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic and set aside. Quarter lemon and set aside. Spoon olive oil mixture over chicken and rub in all over the skin. Also spoon mixture inside and rub inside cavity. After all the mixture is gone, insert the quartered lemon into the cavity along with two sprigs of rosemary. Insert one sprig of rosemary under the skin at the neck. Bake at 450 degrees for :30 on the center rack and then turn down heat to 350 and continue baking for an additional hour.

While the chicken is baking, work on your potatoes

Mashed Red potatoes
Red potatoes (depending on size, I usually choose 3-4 potatoes per person), chopped into large chunks
1/2 stick of butter
Milk or cream to taste
salt
pepper

Put potatoes in a large pot, cover with cool water and set to boil. When the potatoes are soft enough to mash with only a little resistance, drain them and return to pot or mixing bowl. Put in butter, milk or cream and salt and pepper. Mash the potatoes, mixing in other ingredients as you go. Once they are mostly mashed, take a little test bite and add butter or milk if they aren't creamy enough or a bit of additional salt and pepper.

I'll be back in just a few for the salad and dessert recipes.

If you're making your grocery list, though, you'll also need a package of your favorite salad greens or raw lettuces to mix, Ken's steakhouse lite balsamic dressing, gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, 1 sm pkg mascarpone cheese, 1 pint whipping cream, powdered sugar, berries and mint.