Kroger had young whole chickens on sale

My wife cooks it whole in the oven with whatever seasoning/herbs/spices she feels like (usually involves sage and citrus). Then parts it out or pulls it. Then the leftovers go into a stock pot with onion, carrot, celery, and simmers down overnight into a stock she'll freeze for future use in making a soup or adding to pasta water, etc. I believe there's a step where after it cools down from the simmer there's a fat cap on the top she gets rid of.

Many people spatchcock it and my wife used to, but doesn't bother with that step anymore, at least not for oven baking. For grilling/smoking, spatchcock is probably your best bet.

quote:

---

I believe there's a step where after it cools down from the simmer there's a fat cap on the top she gets rid of.

---

There is a difference between broth and stock. Broth is flavored water, where stock is a gelatinous delicious foundation for any soup or stew. It's like Jell-o and is used to enhance a lot of dishes.

That yellow fat that that appears on the top? Don't throw that away. Use it to cook fried eggs.

quote:

---

young whole chickens on sale

---

They go on sale a few times a year for $.99 per pound. You can trim the neck and remove the "Pope's nose," and fry them whole.

You rinse them inside and out with a cheap sherry. Coat them in and out with Tony's and refrigerate overnight. I've done several of them at a time in an unscented kitchen bag.

Shake off the excess and toss them in seasoned AP flour. Cook them one at a time lowering them into your outdoor (turkey) fryer 325F with a piece of wire. Cook about four minutes per pound then remove to drain and cool.

Don't touch them for at least 45 minutes, then cut them into halves with kitchen shears.

yes

we buy chickens at the Hammond farmers market. They are expensive but 100% worth it. I’d forgotten what a chicken is supposed to taste like

quote:

---

I once bought a whole chicken from a farmers market that was organic, free range, etc.

---

Had a similar experience with air chilled high-dollar chickens from Whole Foods. Roasted on the rotisserie on a gas grill. Did not tell spouse they were any different from grocery store chicken we usually eat. She said it was the best chicken I ever cooked.