Don't Be Chicken
I learned something this weekend. I can cook.
I don’t consider myself somebody who is good in the kitchen. But yesterday I brought home two chickens and decided to throw caution to the wind.
Usually I’ll try to follow a recipe, but that rarely has a happy outcome. So there I was, staring at the chickens when I noticed there was a lot of fruit on our kitchen island, that was, shall we say, headed south—I’m talking about a mushy apple, two oranges that were already hard, a bruised grapefruit, and some lemons and limes that should have been pitched last week. I looked at the fruit, then I looked at the chickens, then I looked back at the fruit, and finally I figured "What the heck, it can’t come out any worse than anything else I’ve ever attempted."
I started chopping and stuffing, chopping and stuffing—slices of orange, wedges of grapefruit and diced pieces of apple. I added in an onion and some garlic cloves, squeezed the lemons and limes all over the birds, then massaged them with olive oil, and applied a healthy dose of sea salt and fresh pepper. I threw the gizzards in the pan, popped the concoction in my oven, set the temperature for 300°—no reason, it just sounded good.
About two and a half hours later, the kitchen smelled fantastic as I pulled my masterpiece out of the oven. I’m not calling myself Julia Child or anything but MON DIEU—the juicy meat fell off the bones, and the collective jaws in my family dropped.
Everybody asked for seconds.
So there you have it, my fine feathered friends: “Meredith’s Don’t Be Chicken, Chicken” recipe. I hope you try it.
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Great job! I always get a little frustrated with people when they say they can't cook. NO ONE is good at cooking on their first attempt. Come to think of it, not many people are good at ANYTHING on their first attempt. It takes practice, trial and error. I hope you try your hand at cooking again. If nothing else, start a family tradition and make Sunday "chicken" night so everyone has one great meal a week cooked by mom.
I know that Giada has a great chicken recipe that you cut up a lemon, orange, garlic bulb and onions and you put them in the inside and put chicken broth on the bottom of the pan it is a great recipe. All the citrus makes the chicken nice and moist and flavorful. Next time you should try it with some fresh herbs such as basil, thyme, rosemary those are my favorites.
Congrats! I think all you needed was an opportunity to cook without any pressure. Your attitude was if it works, it works. Remember that next time and you will have the courage to try something else. Go you!
You've GOT to share that one with Martha! Perhaps she could assist you as you cook Mon Dieu Poulet.
Yaaaayyyy Meredith!!!!
See, you had it (cooking) in you after all!!!
I LOVE chicken....do you have any leftovers?? :)
Joe :)
Nice work! Maybe I'll have to give cooking another try... My mother is good at cooking, but I've been a bit hesitant about it since I managed to mess up breakfast burritos four years ago in my eighth grade home econ. class. I probably won't try straying from the recipe yet though. My mom would not be pleased if I managed to somehow destroy her kitchen.
Hats off to you for trying! I'm personally intimidated by chicken and turkey. I keep waiting for them to jump off the counter and run down the hall...but perhaps it's just the wine talking.
That sounds amazing! I DO love to cook...woo-hoo to you!
One other thing, Meredith--I always say, if can read you an cook. And we KNOW you can read!
Next time you make this chicken, cook some potatoes over low heat in olive oil with garlic and thyme (until they're nice & brown all over). Amazing!
Hi Meredith,
I bet you could teach Martha a thing or two, one of them is to lighten up when it comes to cooking. I noticed a couple of times when you were cooking with her and you were fooling around, she didn't seem to go for that. It would be a riot to cook with you.
I meant to tell you that I really enjoyed the segment you had with Richard last week and I should be getting his book tomorrow, looking forward to reading it.
I liked the hat that Matt got for you too, it looked good on you.
Love ya
Joan K.
Wisconsin
I will most definitely try this, with different fruits, I guess. Love, love chicken :)
Hey Meredith!!! Your chicken recipe sounds DELISH! Good for you!!!
Hey! When are you and Matt going to go on some kind of adventure together? I'm dying to see you two together outside of the studio. I LOVED the segment with you and Ann doing the tree obstacle course. Will you and Matt do anything like that together? You two have such wonderful chemistry! Also, will you and Ann being going on any more girl only adventures?
Meredith-can you tell me about Leni? What's his deal? I love him, but want to know more about him. Today, I gathered that he's a vet?!?
Just a few months ago, I finally cooked moist chicken boobs for the first time in my life - I cooked them in fresh squeezed OJ. I haven't clue where I got the idea but from this day forward I'm going to credit Mer. And Sherry Baba, if you find the lucky bread, by all means, please pass us all a slice.
GREAT idea!
I am a BIG fan of you and the Millionaire Show.
I made it into the contestant pool.
12/06
You are SO nice.
linda
I love it how you knew to incorporate different flavors - must be all those cooking segments! I actually think that's where the real skill lies - in determining which flavors go with what and knowing what works with everything - eg garlic.
I love your blog!
Hey Merideth, I tried the chicken recipe last night. AWESOME.. I cook most everyday and consider myself a fairly good cook but I had never stuffed a chicken with fruit before. It really does give off a wonderful aroma and you can hardly wait to sink your teeth into it.. Don't be a stranger to the kitchen now ok....
Some of my best dishes are a result of just throwing togehter what I had on hand that sounded good. Sometimes it works, once in a while it doesn't!
Hi Meredith!
You know, The Food Network has become so popular because of people like Rachel Ray, Sandra Lee and Paula Deen who make cooking easy and fun, fast and much less intimidating. They also have given permission to use short cuts by using pre-cooked, pre-packaged items from the grocery store. Those folks have turned American back into a nation that cooks and eats at home more often! I am the baker of my family. I've been doing since I was a little girl helping my mom. I'd rather be in the kitchen frosting cupcakes and cookies more than anything else, but believe me, I have messed up plenty of recipes in my life. Part of success is not being afraid of failing every now and then! (Breakfast Burrito girl, I hope you heard that!)
Meridith, I loved the blouse you wore this morning!!! Where can I get one so that I can tell my husband to get it!! I made him come and look several times, and it looked great on you!!
I wanted to comment on the Willie Ames interview yesterday. You did a great job. I only wish that you had focused a little more on their changed life, ie becoming christians as that is the message of the book right? Its good to see that there are some good people in Hollywood!
Sorry to post this on your blog. Is there a place on the Today show website to make comments. I always feel like I am bothering you on your blog.
Sounded so yummy that I did a similar thing with Cornish hens last night but squeeze blood oranges over them prior to baking.
The Today show is fantastic. How is it decided who reads the morning stories in the opening of the show? Also, how is it decided who will travel to cover the big stories? It seems that Matt gets a lot of the gigs, which may or may not be a good thing? What time do you get up in the morning?
Did the interview with Willie Ames and his wife prompt you to think about how many young people are lured into the abuse of drugs and alcohol...and how many don't escape alive? Does the Today Show staff ever discuss how media messages can create a climate that encourages the abuse of alcohol?
I just did the same thing this weekend. I made chicken with broccoli cheese soup an noodles. My husband cringed when I told him I made up the recipe. But he actually ate and didn't complain. Go figure! I am also a news anchor and mom. Please check out my site if you get a chance!
Hi Meredith - Just wanted to let you know that I saw you and your husband last night on Larry King and you both were great!
Why does Meredith even have a blog. It is not updated at all.
Hmmm I find this blog updated more often than I can leave comments and its a challenge keeping up with the Meredith whirlwind - seriously, no joke!
After having my "dream Kitchen" three years ago, I instantly became the "best" cook in the world. Meredith become one with "your" kitchen and you will be amazed what great dishes will come from your mind and hands!!
Hi Meredith, Let me start first by saying I remember you from Turn to ten in RI. It's always great to see someone from RI make the big time. I watch the Today Show everyday. Recently the show has been speaking of support groups on cancer and other health issues. I haven't heard about a support group for Heart Patients. I am President of Mended Hearts at Landmark Woonsocket Chapter #338. Mended Hearts is a National Support Group for patients and their families with Heart Disease. There are over three hundred chapters in the US and two in Canada. We have an Accredited Visitor program which has allowed us to visit and give support either pre-op or post-op to over 400,000 people with Heart disease and service more then 4oo hospitals nation wide.
aybe you would like to help us get our message to others.
More information can be found at mendedhearts.org
Keep making RI proud