My Valentine's Day Quickie! [Recipe inside]

I'm not sure what I think about Valentines day.  Sometimes I get right into it.  Sometimes, it creeps up on me, and I become bitter, and cranky at all the hype (now that I think about it, I'm probably cranky because I  can't get "right into it"...) I end up feeling bad if I don't make some effort. The reality is, if I'm not making the effort to begin with, it's probably because I don't have the time! Add feeling guilty on top of that... Oy!   This year, I made the effort to keep things simple.  SUCCESS!  We ate like champs, exchanged very small gifts, and watched the big bang theory! Wicked night...not much to wright about! EXCEPT there is! THE FOOD.  The food was the best part. (aside from the company I kept obvi)  Strap for time on a Thursday after work...  I kept the prep super easy, fresh and all around, pretty basic. I was going for "roasted comfort food" if I had to describe it! In the end, we got to eat the most DELICIOUS meal, prepared by a profession chef... lol (:P) all in the comforts of our own home!  So easy, and so delicious, you don't have to be a professional chef to do this!  

Le Menu:

Spicy Arugala with olive oil and fresh lemon juice dressing

Beer Roasted Lemon Chicken

Roasted Carrots, Sweet Potato, Red and White Potatoes. 

Steamed Broccoli

Seems Fancy Pants... I KNOW, but it's not!  I promise...   Let the PREP begin.  I had 30 minutes to get this ready! (not including the cook time)  And...GO!

Le Grocery list:

3 Lrg. Carrots

3 White Potatoes

3 Red Potatoes

2 Lrg. Onion.

1 head of Arugula

2 Lemons

Olive Oil

2 bottle of beer ( I of course used Alexandre Keith's :P)

Prep DONE with T -minus 8 minutes to spare!

Step 1: Pull your chicken out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you put it in the oven. (I pulled it out when I started my prep) 

Step 2: Preheat your oven while your doing the prep to 375 degrees

Step 3: Roughly chop up your onions, potatoes, carrots and one lemon. (I kept the peels on everything..except my onions :P)  Reserve your vegetables and one onion to a bowl.  Set one onion and the chopped lemon aside for the chicken. 

Step 4: Stuff your bird with the onion and lemon.  Literally, just stuff it in there. What doesn't fit IN the bird, throw on top or just in the pan. 

Step 5: Pour your beer, all over and inside the cavity of the chicken and add 1 cup of water to the bottom of your baking dish.

Put the bird in the over, uncovered, for about 1.5 hours (my chicken was about 3 lbs.) or until the internal temp of the chicken reaches 185 F. (or, if your experienced enough, when the juices of the chicken run clear) Check on your chicken every now and then, just to make sure your pan doesn't' run dry of it's liquid. I basted my chicken probably 2 or 3 times while it was cooking. 

Step 6: While my Chic-chic-chicken was cooking, I made my vegetables.  Take your bowl of potatoes, carrots and onion.  Drizzle it with some olive oil, season with salt and pepper and TADA! Throw these bad boys, into a baking dish or on a baking sheet.  These take about 35-45 minutes to cook at 375.  When I had 45 minutes left on my chicken, I threw my vegetables in.

Dun Dun Dun...   My bird and roasted veg are READY! 

Step7:  I steamed broccoli, I happen to have in the fridge cut up, because I thought I needed more green. 

Step 8: Wash and spin your Arugula. (This can be done earlier in the "step" process) 

Step 9:  Lightly drizzle olive oil on the Arugula (approx. 2-3 tbsp), roll your lemon on the counter with your hands, 2 or three times to soften it up.  Cut the lemon in two,  and juice the lemon over the arugula and toss! Salad Finito!  

Step 10: NOW SERVE AND ENJOY! 

Le Table is all SET + CK1 is pouring my wine... :) 

AAAAAA- Rugula Salad.... I heart you!  

Chef's Tip: 
The best piece of advise I can give you, I have given many times before.  KISS!  Keep It Simple (Stupid)... Simple, fresh food, is most delicious when it's kept...Simple and Fresh!  :) 

Hope you enjoy!  Bon Appetite! 

Peace & Love
LG xo