Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I’m going to make it count. Doo Wop Eats opened a few months ago in downtown Denville and their fries are LEGIT. They are hand cut and taste the way fries should … like potatoes! I add a sprinkle of salt and dunk them in a side of their special sauce and they are pure perfection. You can order a small bucket or a large one (better for sharing!), or as a side item with one of their other delicious menu items like their cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or cheesesteak. I do believe they’re the best fries in town. I said what I said. Doo Wop’s menu celebrates all your favorite Jersey shore boardwalk treats, including Fried Oreos, clam strips and milk shakes and has a fun vibe for kids and families. 😍
The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that takes all of your favorite ingredients from a grinder (or sub) sandwich and makes it into a delicious chopped salad. It’s as easy as putting everything in a bowl and chopping it up. Perfect for busy days and lazy nights, light meals and warm weather choices. Ingredient list below. Enjoy!

One bag or arugula
One container of cherry tomatoes 
Quarter pound of hard salami
8 Oz of fresh mozzarella
One small red onion
1/3 cup banana peppers 
Handful of fresh basil
Half cup Italian salad dressing
3 T Kewpie mayo
2 T red wine vinegar 
Sea salt and black pepper

Chop it all up, add a half box of ditalini pasta, cooked. Mix to combine.

Recipe from GrilledCheeseSocial.
We had a fun little board party this week and the We had a fun little board party this week and the delicious whipped Brie I shared earlier was front and center. If you haven’t heard of board parties, it’s when every guest makes a different type of food board and brings it - so much fun noshing ensues! With toasted baguette slices, cornichons and local honey, this was mostly a French-inspired board. So simple to pull together and totally my kind of meal.
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Cristina Ferrare’s Roasted Chicken

April 8, 2009 · Narrative

Roast Chicken
When you think of Cristina Ferrare, you don’t think about cooking.  You probably think more about her modeling and acting career, or maybe her marriage to John De Lorean.  But last year, I was introduced to her recipes through an appearance she made on Oprah.  It turns out that Oprah goes to Cristina’s for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner every year, and when you think that Oprah can pretty much have dinner anywhere or with anyone, that says an awful lot about Cristina’s cooking.  (I have since discovered she also has a cookbook as well.)

Her appearance was a little bit before we were in such a whirlwind of recession, economic downturn and budget-speak, but her recipes were perfect for a time of cutting back nonetheless.  Cut back on the spending, but not the flavor.  That’s a movement we can get behind.  One of the recipes she made, and that Oprah raved about, was her Roast Chicken with her famous marinade.  Consisting of only three ingredients, but strong flavored ones at that, you can have it in your oven in five minutes flat.

The recipe is for making two chickens, one to eat now, and one to make into something else for another night (check out her other recipes for the second chicken here).  So for five minutes worth of work, you can get two flavorful main courses for under $15.  How ya like them apples?  Now personally, when it comes to playing with whole chickens, particularly raw ones at that, I tend to get a little squeamish.  I hate cleaning them, emptying the cavity, even just seeing all the parts intact.  But I hold my breath and do it as quick as I can.

Since the episode first aired, I’ve made this recipe a few times and when it hit the table again last week, I was reminded of how good it really is.  With flavors like soy sauce and Dijon mustard, you can’t go wrong.  The only change I make to the recipe is to stuff the inside of the chicken with onions, as well as the lemons called for.  Add some roasted vegetables (like those maple ones we made recently) and dinner is done for under $10.  Oh and how does it taste?  It is hands down the juiciest chicken I have ever made, bar none.  Don’t miss this one!

Roasted Chicken
Recipe courtesy of Cristina Ferrare

  • 2 chickens , 4-1/2 to 5 pounds each
  • 6 lemons
  • 1 onion, sliced into wedges
  • A poultry mix of fresh herbs: Rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley and oregano work well

Marinade for one chicken:

  • 1 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup juice from fresh lemon (don’t discard lemon rinds)

To make marinade: Place all ingredients in a nonreactive bowl. Whisk with a wire whisk until ingredients are incorporated well—the marinade should have a smooth and creamy consistency.

To make roasted chicken: Preheat oven to 425°.

Clean chickens well and pat dry. Place each chicken in its own baking dish.

Stuff cavities with lemon rinds (and onion) and fresh herbs. A poultry mix is fine, usually consisting of rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley and oregano.

Pour marinade over chicken. Add cracked pepper and remaining herbs to the top of each chicken.

Place an oven thermometer in each chicken and cover with aluminum foil. Place on the lower rack of the oven. Bake for 1-1/2 hours, then remove the aluminum foil. Baste with a basting bulb. Keep basting often, ever 15 minutes until the thermometer reads 180°.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Cristina Ferrare, maple roasted vegetables, Oprah, roast chicken

Comments

  1. Sarah Caron says

    April 8, 2009 at 10:43 pm

    That looks TO-DIE-FOR. I wonder how it would be with honey mustard instead of dijon?

    Sarah Carons last blog post..For the Love of Chocolate: Chocopologie

    Reply
  2. Pam says

    April 9, 2009 at 11:00 am

    I love roasting chicken – yours looks and sounds fantastic.

    Pams last blog post..Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Toasted Walnuts

    Reply
  3. Patsy says

    April 9, 2009 at 1:28 pm

    Wow, that looks so good! I’m going to have to try it so that I can add another way to roast chicken to my regular list!

    Patsys last blog post..Mandel Bread for Passover

    Reply
  4. Scoop says

    April 9, 2009 at 5:17 pm

    Looks really tasty. Did you use dried or fresh herbs?

    Reply
  5. Elyse says

    April 9, 2009 at 10:48 pm

    This chicken looks fantastic!! I don’t usually crave chicken, but this post does have me drooling. I might have to try this out for a special occasion.

    Reply
  6. alice says

    April 10, 2009 at 12:31 am

    I’ve never roasted my own chicken.. always bought it at the grocery store but your photo and recipe has me thinking that I will try it soon!

    Reply
  7. Joanne says

    April 10, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    I’ve never roasted a chicken before. I was going to slow cook one this weekend but chickened out and got leg quarters instead. My dad scared me into it when he said the chicken would probably be clean, except there may be some brown stuff in it. Plus the quarters were infinitely cheaper.

    Your chicken looks so delicious though. ::sigh:: next time.

    Joannes last blog post..Cilantro-Jalapeno Hummus

    Reply
  8. Kathy - Panini Happy says

    April 10, 2009 at 5:05 pm

    If it’s the juiciest chicken you ever made then I definitely want to try it! A really good roast chicken is definitely something to savor. :-)

    Kathy – Panini Happys last blog post..Open-Face Grilled Goat Cheese Panini with Sundried Tomatoes & Herbs

    Reply
  9. RecipeGirl says

    April 11, 2009 at 12:03 am

    I really need to go ahead and make my own roasted chicken. It’s just something I’ve never done. Always buy those ones that are already roasted for you. Surely it’s loads better if you do it yourself!

    Reply
  10. Mrs Ergül says

    April 12, 2009 at 7:44 am

    My go-to roast chicken rocks too! It uses just salt, black pepper and lemon zest, then stuff half a lemon inside the cavity before roasting. That ensures moist chicken breast meat!

    Mrs Ergüls last blog post..Kiwi and Strawberry Smoothie

    Reply
  11. Laura says

    April 14, 2009 at 11:12 pm

    She actually used to have her own show for several years…first with Chuck Woorlery then with Mike (of mike and Maddie) it was called Home and Family. I loved it!

    Reply

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Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!

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Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I’m going to make it count. Doo Wop Eats opened a few months ago in downtown Denville and their fries are LEGIT. They are hand cut and taste the way fries should … like potatoes! I add a sprinkle of salt and dunk them in a side of their special sauce and they are pure perfection. You can order a small bucket or a large one (better for sharing!), or as a side item with one of their other delicious menu items like their cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or cheesesteak. I do believe they’re the best fries in town. I said what I said. Doo Wop’s menu celebrates all your favorite Jersey shore boardwalk treats, including Fried Oreos, clam strips and milk shakes and has a fun vibe for kids and families. 😍
The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that takes all of your favorite ingredients from a grinder (or sub) sandwich and makes it into a delicious chopped salad. It’s as easy as putting everything in a bowl and chopping it up. Perfect for busy days and lazy nights, light meals and warm weather choices. Ingredient list below. Enjoy!

One bag or arugula
One container of cherry tomatoes 
Quarter pound of hard salami
8 Oz of fresh mozzarella
One small red onion
1/3 cup banana peppers 
Handful of fresh basil
Half cup Italian salad dressing
3 T Kewpie mayo
2 T red wine vinegar 
Sea salt and black pepper

Chop it all up, add a half box of ditalini pasta, cooked. Mix to combine.

Recipe from GrilledCheeseSocial.
We had a fun little board party this week and the We had a fun little board party this week and the delicious whipped Brie I shared earlier was front and center. If you haven’t heard of board parties, it’s when every guest makes a different type of food board and brings it - so much fun noshing ensues! With toasted baguette slices, cornichons and local honey, this was mostly a French-inspired board. So simple to pull together and totally my kind of meal.

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