Le Poussin En Surprise

Serves: 5

Vicente Kshlerin

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

48

Spice

50

Sweetness

45

Sourness

37

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.1

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 tsp

Marjoram

1 tsp

Rosemary

2 tsps

Thyme

1 tsp

Basil

Directions:

1

Combine marjoram, rosemary, 1 teaspoon thyme and basil with salad oil in small pot

2

Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes

3

Strain through fine sieve and discard herbs

4

Drown bird in oil and add wine

5

Marinate for 3 hours, refrigerated Meanwhile, fry pork fat in heavy saucepan until mostly rendered

6

Remove and discard crisp fatty pieces

7

Add onion and shallot

8

Lower heat and add remaining thyme and bay leaf

9

Add chicken livers and cook until browned

10

Remove bay leaf and pass liver mixture through a meat grinder or sieve

11

After bird has marinated, preheat oven to 350 degrees F

12

Dry bird thoroughly inside and out with paper towels and place sieved 'pate' into rear cavity

13

Remold bird to its natural shape and secure both ends with poultry pins, then truss

14

Season bird with salt and white pepper, coat with clarified butter, and roast at 350 degrees F

15

For 45 to 60 minutes, until nicely browned and tender

16

Remove from the oven

17

Turn up oven to 450 degrees F

18

Cut 1 (20 by 18-inch) sheet of parchment paper in a heart shape

19

Grease well with clarified butter or oil

20

Place cooked chicken on one side of the heart, remove string and pins and enclose it in paper, pleating edges together to secure (use staples, if you have to!)

21

Heat a little oil in large skillet and add parchment package

22

The air inside will expand, forcing the package to 'blow up'

23

When fully expanded, grease the outer surface and place in oven until lightly browned and remove immediately

24

To serve, open bag and cut bird in two