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Ten Years and Counting: Anniversary Chicken with Saffron and Preserved Lemon Recipe
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- June 8, 2015 By Isabelle Boucher 4 Comments | Filed Under: BBQ, chicken, main course, poultry, summer
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%20greyer,%20a%20little%20bit%20fluffier%20around%20the%20middle,%20and%20we%20creak%20and%20pop%20when%20we%20stretch%20in%20the%20morning.%20And%20we%E2%80%99re%20still%20just%20as%20googly-eyed%20for%20each%20other.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EI%20know%20we%E2%80%99re%20technically%20not%20supposed%20to%20celebrate%20our%20dating%20anniversaries%20now%20that%20we%E2%80%99re%20married%20(two%20whole%20years,%20as%20of%20today%E2%80%A6.%20yay!),%20but%20this%20was%20such%20a%20big%20milestone%20that%20we%20couldn%E2%80%99t%20possibly%20let%20it%20go%20by%20uncelebrated.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EWe%20marked%20the%20occasion%20the%20same%20way%20we%E2%80%99ve%20always%20celebrated%20our%20biggest%20milestones%20%E2%80%93%20by%20preparing%20a%20beautiful%20homecooked%20dinner%20and%20then%20sitting%20down%20to%20eat%20it%20together.%20Great%20food,%20not%20too%20fancy,%20eaten%20in%20great%20company.%20In%20many%20ways,%20that%20kind%20of%20sums%20up%20our%20relationship%20in%20general.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EThis%20year%E2%80%99s%20menu%20involved%20a%20spatchocked%20chicken,%20cooked%20on%20the%20grill%20until%20crisp-skinned%20and%20subtly%20smoky.%20I%20know%20the%20traditional%20gift%20for%20a%20ten-year%20anniversary%20is%20tin,%20but%20I%20think%20this%20recipe%20makes%20the%20case%20for%20going%20with%20chicken%20instead.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EIt%E2%80%99s%20a%20sentimental%20favourite%20for%20us,%20since%20he%20proposed%20to%20me%20over%20a%20grilled%20chicken.%20(Yes,%20he%20obviously%20knows%20the%20way%20to%20this%20girl%E2%80%99s%20heart.)%20The%20original%20chicken%20was%20seasoned%20with%20garlic%20and%20thyme%20and%20sumac,%20but%20this%20time%20around,%20we%20chose%20saffron%20and%20preserved%20lemon,%20a%20subtle%20nod%20of%20the%20head%20to%20the%20paella%20we%20made%20to%20celebrate%20our%20fifth%20anniversary.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EWe%20served%20our%20chicken%20with%20a%20fluffy%20basmati%20rice%20cooked%20in%20the%20Persian%20style%20with%20brilliant%20yellow%20saffron,%20layered%20with%20fresh%20herbs,%20chopped%20pistachios%20and%20pomegranate%20arils.%20%20And%20for%20dessert,%20a%20wobbly%20panna%20cotta%20scented%20with%20dill%20pollen%20and%20topped%20with%20crunchy%20salty-sweet%20toasted%20almonds.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EAll%20very%20lovely%20dishes,%20to%20be%20sure,%20but%20it%20was%20still%20the%20chicken%20that%20was%20the%20star%20of%20the%20show.%20You%20could%20even%20say%20this%20is%20a%20particularly%20spectacular%20specimen%20of%20roast%20chickendom%20%E2%80%93%20brilliantly%20golden,%20with%20a%20crackling%20salted%20skin%20and%20tender%20juicy%20meat%20that%20practically%20falls%20off%20the%20bone.%20It%20might%20not%20be%20the%20most%20elaborate%20of%20dishes,%20but%20there%E2%80%99s%20something%20to%20be%20said%20for%20simplicity.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EI%E2%80%99m%20still%20trying%20to%20figure%20out%20if%20there%E2%80%99s%20a%20suitable%20tin-based%20gift%20out%20there%20that%20I%20can%20use%20as%20a%20belated%20anniversary%20gift,%20but%20for%20now,%20I%20think%20this%20chicken%20will%20do%20just%20fine.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EAnniversary%20Grilled%20Chicken%20with%20Saffron%20and%20Preserved%20Lemon%20%20%20Author:%20Isabelle%20Boucher%20(Crumb)%20%20Recipe%20type:%20Main%20%20%20Prep%20time:%20%2024%20hours%20%20Cook%20time:%20%2045%20mins%20%20Total%20time:%20%2024%20hours%2045%20mins%20%20%20Serves:%204%20%20%20%20A%20simple%20grilled%20chicken%20is%20transformed%20into%20a%20special-occasion-worthy%20meal%20simply%20by%20slipping%20a%20saffron%20and%20preserved%20lemon%20butter%20under%20the%20skin.%20It%20emerges%20from%20the%20grill%20tender,%20juicy%20and%20crisply%20golden-skinned.%20%20Ingredients%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E1%20whole%20chicken,%20spatchcocked%20(~3%20lbs)%202%20tsp%20kosher%20salt%201%20tsp%20ground%20turmeric%20(or%201%20tbsp%20grated%20fresh%20turmeric)%20%C2%BD%20tsp%20pepper%20%C2%BD%20preserved%20lemon,%20finely%20chopped%20%C2%BD%20tsp%20saffron,%20crumbled%203%20tbsp%20butter,%20softened%20%20%20Instructions%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EThe%20night%20before,%20pat%20the%20chicken%20dry%20with%20paper%20towels,%20then%20season%20all%20over%20with%20salt,%20turmeric%20and%20pepper.%20Transfer%20to%20a%20large%20zip-top%20plastic%20bag,%20and%20place%20in%20the%20refrigerator%20to%20chill%20for%20at%20least%206%20hours%20(but%20preferably%20overnight).%20The%20next%20day,%20heat%20a%20lightly%20oiled%20gas%20or%20charcoal%20grill%20using%20medium-high%20heat.%20Using%20one%20or%20two%20fingers,%20gently%20separate%20the%20chicken%20skin%20from%20the%20breast%20and%20thighs,%20creating%20a%20small%20pocket%20and%20doing%20your%20best%20to%20keep%20the%20skin%20whole.%20Slide%20the%20preserved%20lemon%20butter%20into%20the%20pocket%20and%20gently%20spread%20to%20fill%20the%20space%20over%20the%20breast%20and%20onto%20the%20thighs.%20Place%20the%20chicken,%20breast%20side%20up,%20onto%20the%20preheated%20grill%20over%20indirect%20heat.%20Grill%20with%20the%20lid%20down%20for%2040-50%20minutes,%20or%20until%20juices%20run%20clear%20and%20a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