Engagement Chicken

This iconic recipe for lemon and herb roasted chicken has been around for eons with tons of variations. It’s called “Engagement Chicken” because everyone who serves it gets a proposal. Here’s my version.

SERVES 2 TO 4

PAN SIZE - 9 X 13 X 2 INCH METAL PAN

INGREDIENTS

1 (4 to 5 pound) chicken

3 sweet onions (cut in half and sliced ¼ inch thick – about 3 cups)

1 whole lemon (seeded, peeled, white pith removed, and sliced into rounds)

1 1/4 teaspoons salt (divided)

1/2 teaspoon pepper (divided)

1 stick butter (softened - divided)

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or 3/4 teaspoon dried rosemary)

½ cup chicken stock

GRAVY

1 Tablespoon all purpose flour

1 cup chicken stock (cool or room temperature)

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves (no stems)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat pan with cooking spray.

2. Toss the onions, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and ½ the softened butter in the pan.

3. Wash chicken. Pat dry with paper towels.

4. Place the lemon slices and thyme (or rosemary) in the chicken. Put the chicken in the pan (on top of the onions). It’s OK if the chicken doesn’t cover the onions. Tuck the wings under. Rub the chicken with the remaining butter then pour ½ cup chicken stock over the butter. Sprinkle with remaining salt and pepper.

5. Bake in preheated oven till juices run clear and the chicken has an internal temperature of 165 degrees – about 1 ½ hours. Longer if needed.

6. Remove the cooked chicken to a warm platter. Cover with foil. Let rest 15 minutes before carving. Leave the onions and any liquid in the pan.

7. For the gravy, dissolve the flour in the stock. Whisk into the pan of onions. Heat on the stove top until the mixture thickens, whisking to incorporate any bits from the pan into the gravy. Stir in the parsley. Carve the chicken. Discard the lemon. Serve with the gravy.

PAIRS WELL WITH: PINOT GRIGIO

Barboursville 2021 Pinot Grigio ($17) is an excellent choice for this dish. It’s extremely flavorful, with apple, pear, a touch of pineapple, and a gentle finish. bbvwine.com

COOK’S TIPS

• Be careful to remove all of the white pith from the lemon or the chicken and gravy will taste bitter.

• To use fresh herbs, double the amount of dried.

Hearts of Palm and Fresh Greens Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette

Could any salad sound more romantic? Hearts of Palm look like white asparagus but have a mild taste reminiscent of crab. An excellent vegan protein source, it’s used in all kinds of recipes. Available at grocery stores everywhere, usually in the pickle section.

SERVES 2 TO 4

INGREDIENTS

½ (12 to 14 oz.) can/jar Hearts of Palm (drained, rinsed and cut into bite size pieces)

4 cups baby salad greens mix

1 recipe Champagne Vinaigrette (recipe follows)

DIRECTIONS

Portion greens and Hearts of Palm on serving plates. Drizzle with dressing.

Champagne Vinaigrette

I could go on forever about champagne vinegar. Wonderfully mellow yet sophisticated, it transforms a basic vinaigrette into the most gossamer of dressings that clings and kisses the tender, baby greens.

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup champagne vinegar

2 cloves garlic (finely minced - about 1 teaspoon)

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 Tablespoon sugar

½ teaspoon salt

Pinch pepper

DIRECTIONS

Whisk everything together.

PAIRS WELL WITH:

CHAMPAGNE OR SPARKLING WINE

Pearmund Cellars’ Brut Reserve Sparkling Wine ($44) is the perfect accompaniment to this scrumptious salad. Crisp acidity, silky texture, and just the right amount of carbonation make this an incredibly refreshing sparkling. pearmundcellars.com

“Exceptional

Is you pet itching & scratching?

Are your pets itching & scratching? It’s a sign that something is wrong. When your pet scratches, it is irritating his/her sensitive skin. This can lead to infection with itchy and painful sores.

Are your pets itching & scratching?

It’s a sign that something is wrong. When your pet scratches, it is irritating his/her sensitive skin. This can lead to infection with itchy and painful sores.

It’s a sign that something is wrong. When your pet scratches, it is irritating his/her sensitive skin. This can lead to infection with itchy and painful sores.

Is you pet itching & scratching?

It’s a sign that something is wrong. When your pet scratches, it is irritating his/her sensitive skin. This can lead to infection with itchy and painful sores. Call us for an

White Chocolate Cheesecake

Could anything be more dangerously delicious? Just a few pulses in the food processor is all it takes. Make it a day or two in advance.

MAKES 1 (9 INCH) CHEESECAKE | SERVES 12 TO 16 PAN SIZE - 9 INCH SPRINGFORM

CRUST INGREDIENTS

1 ¼ cups fresh vanilla cake crumbs (like pound cake – purchased or homemade) (Lightly rub cake between palms of hands to crumble then measure)

FILLING INGREDIENTS

1 cup sugar

24 ounces cream cheese (softened)

2 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon apricot brandy

12 ounces (3/4 pound) white chocolate (like Ghirardelli)

16 ounces sour cream (at room temperature with liquid poured off)

Note: There are no eggs in this recipe

BAKER’S TIPS

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mist pan with baking spray.

2. Distribute cake crumbs evenly over pan bottom. Press down lightly. Set aside.

3. In the food processor, pulse together sugar, cream cheese, vanilla and brandy.

4. Melt the white chocolate in the microwave by heating then stirring in 30 second intervals until melted.

5. Pulse the melted white chocolate and cream cheese mixture together. Add the sour cream. Process until smooth.

6. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 30 minutes. Cheesecake will not look done.

7. Remove from oven. Cool 1 hour at room temperature then lightly cover and refrigerate 18-24 hours before cutting. The cheesecake firms in the fridge.

PAIRS WELL WITH: PORT

Stonetower Winery’s 2017 Wild Boar Porton ($55) is made from Norton Grapes and sourced from Middleburg. Catoctin Creek Brandy is used to fortify the wine and the combination of the two results in a silky-smooth port style wine. stonetowerwinery.com

• White chocolate does not melt like regular chocolate and must be stirred to liquefy. Overheating will thicken it then burn like a campfire marshmallow.

• Use regular cream cheese. Low fat, fat free, or whipped are not recommended.

• Find recipe-size, mini bottles of apricot brandy at the ABC store. L