Chicken And The Bodacious Bulb

Serves: 6

Jadyn Kohler

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

49

Spice

56

Sweetness

43

Sourness

40

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

8 sprigs

Thyme (fresh)

2 cups

Water

1 cup

Flour

2 cups

Olive Oil

2 cups

Garlic Cloves

Directions:

1

Rinse and pat the chicken dry

2

On a stable surface, cut the chicken with a sharp knife into 8 pieces, plus the backbone

3

Season all the pieces with 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper

4

Cover and refrigerate all but the backbone

5

In a large saucepan or small stockpot over high heat, add 1 tablespoon of garlic oil and, when hot, add in the seasoned chicken backbone

6

Brown for 4 to 5 minutes, then add in the reserved garlic cloves, thyme, and the cut vegetables

7

Turn the backbone over and continue to cook until well browned, an additional 5 minutes

8

(Guy's tip: for easy removal when making gravy later, tie the garlic cloves in cheesecloth before adding to the pot)

9

Deglaze the pan with a little of the stock to loosen the fond from the bottom of the pan, and add the remaining stock and the water

10

Bring to a strong simmer and let cook for 45 minutes

11

Strain the solids but reserve the garlic cloves in a bowl

12

Let sit and skim the fat from the top

13

Set aside

14

You should have about 3 cups

15

This can be prepared ahead

16

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F

17

In a large, deep-sided pan over high heat, add 1/4 cup of the garlic oil

18

When it just starts to smoke, add the sliced garlic cloves and cook until just crisp and light golden brown, 30 seconds

19

Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with a touch of salt

20

Add in the chicken and carefully brown the pieces, turning as needed, and getting a nice even dark golden brown on all sides

21

As the pieces finish, remove to a baking sheet and hold warm in the oven

22

Drain the excess fat from the pan the chicken was cooked in and set heat at medium-high

23

Add in the remaining 1/4 cup garlic oil and the flour and stir constantly until a paste forms

24

Allow the roux to cook for 1 to 2 minutes, with continued stirring, and then slowly whisk in the stock

25

Add about 1/2 cup at a time and continue to incorporate

26

Reduce the heat to low once the mixture has thickened and then add in the reserved cooked garlic cloves

27

Whisk these into the roux, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed, and hold warm until service over low heat

28

Place 1/2 cup of the garlic gravy on a plate and position a couple pieces of chicken on top

29

Spoon 1 tablespoon of the gravy on top of the chicken and garnish with the parsley, diced tomatoes, and the fried garlic slices

30

In a small saucepan over medium heat, add half of the oil and all of the garlic

31

Heat through and cook for 10 minutes, adjusting the heat as needed

32

Allow to cool to room temperature

33

In a 16-ounce clean glass jar, add the prepared garlic and the remaining oil

34

Cover and refrigerate

35

Use within 2 to 3 weeks

36

Guy's Tips: Use a good quality olive oil in this, but not extra-virgin

37

You want an olive oil that can withstand some heat, as you will soon be cooking everything with this oil! Find the freshest, firmest, whitest garlic bulbs you can find

38

Gently break apart the bulb, and then carefully trim the stem end from each clove and peel the skins

39

Be picky, use the biggest ones and leave the smaller ones for another recipe

40

Use the oil for cooking, use the garlic for everything

41

Once the garlic is depleted, start over