Beet-Pickled Curried Deviled Eggs

 

For the pickled beets:
1 cup water
1/2 cup vinegar
2 beets, peeled and sliced
1 shallot, chopped
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp whole black peppercorns, lightly crushed
1/4 tsp fennel seeds, lightly crushed
1/4 tsp mustard seeds, lightly crushed
1 tsp sea salt

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For the curried deviled eggs:

• 6 boiled eggs
• 3 Tbs mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 Tbs Greek yogurt
• 1 1/2 tsp curry powder
• 3/4 tsp brown mustard
• 1 garlic clove, pressed
• salt and pepper to taste
• chopped fresh dill
• chopped pickled beets to garnish (optional)

To make the pickled beets:

1. Peel the beets, slice in half, and then slice each half into thin pieces.

2. In a mortar and pestle, lightly crush the black peppercorns, fennel seeds and mustard seeds.

3. Mix all pickling ingredients, including the beets in a pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.  Let cool, and store in the fridge indefinitely. 

To make the deviled eggs:

1. Halve each egg, and remove the egg yolks to a bowl.

2. Place the egg halves in a jar, and pour the pickling beet juice over them.  Let sit for 10-20 minutes. 

3. Mash the egg yolks with a fork, and add the mayo, yogurt, curry powder, smashed garlic, and mustard.  Taste and adjust the salt and pepper if needed.  Optionally, add some chopped fresh dill, and/or chives.  

4. Once the egg halves have been dyed a pretty shade of magenta, remove from the marinade, and drain.  Fill each half with the curry-mayo filling, and garnish with some of the pickled beets, chopped very finely, and more fresh dill.

One Hour Whole Roasted Chicken

 

Ingredients:

•  3 ½ - 4 ½ pound whole chicken, neck removed
  1 lemon, cut in halved
  1 head of garlic, halved
  Few sprigs of thyme, rosemary, parsley, sage
• 5 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 2 tsp EACH: salt & pepper

Directions: 

1.  Position a rack in the center of the oven & preheat the oven to 425ºF. Place the chicken on a cutting board and pat dry using paper towels. Season the inside of the cavity with ½ teaspoon of salt. Place the lemon halves, garlic head, and herbs inside the cavity. Place the chicken breast-side up in a large cast-iron skillet or an oven-safe frying pan. Sprinkle the chicken with the remaining 1 ½ teaspoon of salt all over.

2.  Melt the butter in the microwave and using a pastry brush, brush half the butter generously all over the chicken, save remaining butter do not discard. Sprinkle with pepper.

3.  Roast chicken for 20 minutes, remove from oven, brush on the remaining butter mixture. Place the chicken back into the oven and continue roasting for 25 minutes. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh and check to make sure it registers at 165 degrees F. Continue to roast for an additional 10-15 minutes for 4 to 4-1/2 lb chicken. Remove  from the oven and allow for it to rest for 15-30 minutes before carving.