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A meal we enjoyed as kids was roast chicken, mashed potatoes, filling, gravy and sweet corn.
We grew our own corn and potatoes and raised our own chickens and pigs. We ate well. If I close my eyes, I can still smell the hams hanging from the rafters.
Food has changed. Our mother would cook seven days a week and eating out was a rare treat.
After teaching myself how to roast a chicken and all the fixings, it's become another one of my favorite meals. Comfort food at its finest.
Enjoy the recipes!
Roast Chicken
• One whole chicken
• Fresh rosemary
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil
Lay chicken on counter. Make sure the inside is free of any unpleasant stuff. I rub some salt inside the cavity.
Put a few garlic pieces and rosemary inside. Rub the skin of the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and any other herbs you like. I also like to tuck a sprig of rosemary under each wing.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. I roast my chickens breast side down to help keep it moist. Roast 30 minutes covered with foil then turn oven down to 350 degrees and roast another hour or until internal temperature is between 165 to 175 degrees.
If you like the skin to be browned and crispy you can bake it uncovered. Remove from oven and let set for 10 minutes before serving.
Mashed Potatoes
• 5 lbs potatoes
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 stick butter
• Pepper to taste
• 1 1/2 cups either milk or half & half
Peel potatoes and cut into pieces. Put in large kettle covered with water. Add the salt and bring to a boil. About 10-15 minutes should make them soft.
Drain the potatoes and leave in kettle or pour in to a mixing bowl. Mix the potatoes till no lumps and add the butter and heated milk gradually.
Add salt and pepper to suit your taste. Serve hot!
Filling, Stuffing (or whatever you call it)
• 1 bag bread cubes (can use stale bread cubed)
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp season salt
• 1 to 1 ½ c chicken broth
Using a large microwaveable bowl, put the butter, parsley, season salt and broth together and heat till the butter melts. Pour over bread cubes and toss till moistened.
Pour into pan and bake for 30 minutes uncovered at 350 degrees.
Eat well my friends!
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Bev Kauffman, of Lewistown, operated a catering business in Juniata County for nearly 20 years. She has authored the cookbook, "Preserving the Past: In the Kitchen with Bev Kauffman" in 2013 and is currently working on a second cookbook.