Saturday, June 25, 2011

Do You Brine?

Now I'm not a big fan of roasting chickens in the hot summertime, but if you do, you must brine!  Brining makes the chicken moist and delicious, and it's quite simple...



All you need is a large pot, 2 quarts of water, and 1/2 cup of kosher salt.  Mix the water and salt together and stick your chicken(s) in the pot for 5-6 hours in the refrigerator.  Be careful, as the pot can become very heavy to lift in and out of the refrigerator! 

Another trick that I use to make the chicken more moist and flavorful is to place butter under the skin.   Mixing a few herbs with the butter would be great, but the diners here at Love and Life at Leadora are simple folks, and no herbs are allowed!  In fact, one of them refers to parsley as "the devil's herb", but shall remain nameless...



Here are my little lovelies, all prepped for the hot oven....


Roast at 425 degrees for 1 1/2 hours, and they are done!...



Last night was roasted chicken with salad.  Tonight will be chicken enchiladas!  What do you like to cook with leftover chicken?
Posted by Heather at 9:12 AM

15 comments:

  1. KathyJune 25, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Brining does wonderful things for chicken! I like to roast my chicken in a cast-iron pot - does make them so delicious! Kathy

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  2. KellyJune 25, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    I am definitely going to try this....thanks for the info!


    Kelly

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  3. DebbyJune 25, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    For Thanksgiving we had a turkey that was made this way. Super yummy.

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  4. UnknownJune 25, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    Have never tried this. And I really must put my glasses on. At first glance I thought your instructions saw 11 1/2 hours! I am such a goose!

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  5. Life In a Little HouseJune 25, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    Oh looks wonderful thanks for sharing your brining.....I love to make chicken sandwiches with the leftovers ~Enjoy!! I haven't tackled that dress I a have another one I am working on first but I am going to take your advice and check out that knit at Jo Anns or I may even order some off the internet. It really is hard to find good quality knit. I often wonder where clothing company's buy it from wholesale?? ~Have a Great Weekend ~Love Heather

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  6. TylaJune 25, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    That looks really yummy! In another life I want to be a good cook. :) I have a nice, roomy kitchen but I rarely cook. Why is that? I was spoiled and never learned how to properly cook, that's how. If you lived closer I would pay you to cook for me. lol

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  7. CindyJune 26, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    Yum to both the chicken and iced coffee! I finally have everyone out of the house so that I can catch up with you...

    You are a lovely lady with a perfect figure...You should appear on your blog more often!!! Nice summer outfits... I wished I had learned how to sew when I was at home with my mom.

    NYC was awesome. By the way, I have some Top of the Rock observation deck tickets we didn't use. Would you like to have them? If that is something you and your husband want to do it would save you about $24. They expire in November.

    You can email me with your address if you want them.

    Have a great week!
    Cindy

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  8. Calypso In The CountryJune 27, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    Yum - looks great! I am always cooking with chicken. In fact I cook it so often that my son now says, "What kind of chicken are we having tonight?" instead of "What is for dinner?"
    How exciting that your are going to New York! Maybe you will run into Jerry Seinfeld! LOL!
    -Shelley

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  9. Ann from On Sutton PlaceJune 27, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    I don't brine but I do roast a chicken now and then. I love the way it makes the house smell! There usually isn't any left but if there is I always make chicken salad. It's the best with roasted chicken.

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  10. Lori EJune 27, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    We had a roast chicken tonight but it was cooked on the barbecue because I had forgotten my oven was broken and we had just got back into town. Lol.
    We always make chicken wraps, usually with a Caesar dressing on it and lots of veggies.

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  11. LeslieJune 28, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    I have never brined but i think that I will give it a try.
    Your chicken looks delish. Chicken salad is a great summer time dish for those left overs.
    Have a great wednesday

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  12. Pam KesslerJune 28, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    I have never in my life brined! It looks delicious though.

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  13. Town and Country GalsJune 28, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    Heather,
    Looks interesting! I will have to take your word for it cuz I don't cook anymore then I have to. Now, if you want to come over and cook it for me.......
    Rebecca

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  14. Life in RehabJune 29, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    We brined pork roasts today, how funny! That chicken looks delishhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

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  15. AnaJuly 1, 2011 at 8:34 AM

    Hi Heather,
    Can you belive I have never brined before?...Must give it a try next time for sure. Thanks for sharing...Have a wonderful weekend.

    Hugs and Kisses,
    ♥Ana

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