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1
For the roast chicken: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
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2
Sprinkle the cavities of the chickens with the salt and pepper; stuff each with 2 lemon halves, 2 garlic cloves and 2 thyme sprigs.
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3
Rub the skins with the clarified butter.
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4
Truss the chickens.
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5
Place the chickens, breast side up, on a rack set into a roasting pan.
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6
Roast until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.
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7
Reduce the heat to 350 degrees and scatter the onions, carrots and celery around the chickens.
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8
Roast until the chickens are 160 degrees at the thigh, 45 to 60 minutes more.
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9
Remove to a cutting board and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
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10
Place the roasting pan on the stovetop and cook until the vegetables are caramelized.
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11
Pour off all but 2 ounces of the chicken fat.
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12
Add the flour and cook for 2 minutes, whisking.
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13
Whisk the stock into the roux until smooth, then simmer for 20 minutes.
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14
Season the pan gravy with salt and pepper.
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15
Before serving, whisk the unsalted butter into the gravy.
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16
Cut the chickens in half and remove the backbone.
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17
For the sweet potato puree: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
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18
Pierce the skins of the sweet potatoes with a fork.
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19
Roast until tender, about 45 minutes.
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20
Scrape the sweet potato flesh into a food processor.
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21
Add the butter and brown sugar, and puree until smooth.
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22
Season with salt and white pepper.
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23
For the green beans: Bring 1 gallon water to a boil, and season with 2 ounces kosher salt.
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24
Set up an ice bath for shocking the green beans.
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25
Add one-third of the green beans to the boiling water; cook until al dente, 2 to 3 minutes.
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26
With a slotted spoon, transfer the beans to the ice bath to stop cooking.
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27
Remove the beans from the ice bath and dry well.
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28
Repeat two more times, until all the green beans are blanched.
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29
Heat 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil in a large skillet.
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30
Add the blanched green beans and saute for 1 to 2 minutes.
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31
Add the butter and the almonds, and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.
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32
Season with salt and pepper.
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33
To plate: Divide the sweet potato puree between 6 plates, and make a smear with the puree.
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34
Place one chicken half on each plate.
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35
Lean some of the green beans up against the chicken, and then spoon 3 to 4 ounces of the pan gravy over the chicken.
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36
Serve immediately.