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1
Preheat oven to 425 F.
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2
Remove giblets from inside of the chicken if necessary.
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3
Wash the chicken well, inside and outside, and dry well.
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4
Salt and pepper the cavity and place the sliced onion (1/2 of an onion) and the celery leaves inside.
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5
Fold the wings under the chicken.
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6
Julia says to fold them akimbo, which is I am sure what she meant.
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7
Tie drumstick ends together.
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8
Rub the outside of the chicken with the butter and sprinkle on the salt and Herbs de Provence, to taste.
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9
Oil a cast iron pan or small roasting pan (use one with a V-shaped rack) with the olive oil.
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10
Place chicken in the pan breast side up and put the pan into the preheated oven.
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11
Roast the chicken, basting it every 10 minutes for 30 minutes.
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12
Then remove the chicken from the oven.
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13
Scatter the chopped onions and carrots around the chicken and reduce the oven temperature to 350 F. Put the chicken back into the oven.
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14
Continue to baste every 10 minutes now including the vegetables.
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15
The chicken will take an hour and 10 to 20 minutes total to reach an internal temperature of 170 F. When its done remove chicken from the oven.
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16
Remove chicken from the pan and let it rest on a cutting board while you make the sauce.
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17
Remove vegetables and all of the drippings from the pan but leave 1 tablespoon of drippings.
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18
Heat the pan on the stove over medium heat and add the chicken and beef stock.
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19
Bring up to a rapid boil and reduce heat slightly.
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20
Add the fresh thyme leaves.
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21
Stir the cornstarch and port wine together in a small bowl or cup then add it to the sauce stirring constantly.
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22
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
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23
If too thick adjust with more stock.
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24
Slice chicken and serve over mashed potatoes with cooked green beans (or veggie of choice) and the roasted carrots and onions.
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25
Pour the sauce over and serve immediately.
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26
Adapted from Julias Kitchen Wisdom by Julia Child.
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27
Copyright 2000 by Julia Child.
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28
Reprinted with permission from the publisher Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc.