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1
Heat the oven to 375 degrees F and arrange a rack in the lower third.
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2
Remove the capon from the refrigerator, discard the neck and giblets, and let the bird sit at room temperature for 45 minutes.
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3
Rinse the capon with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
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4
Combine 1 teaspoon of the salt, 6 tablespoons of the butter, the sage, orange zest, and fennel seeds in a small bowl and mix until evenly incorporated.
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5
Season the cavity and outside of the bird with the remaining 2 teaspoons salt and all of the measured pepper.
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6
Carefully loosen the skin from the breast and thighs, making sure not to tear it.
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7
Evenly spread the herbed butter under the skin.
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8
Rub the olive oil all over the outside of the capon and place the garlic and reserved orange flesh and rind inside the cavity.
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9
Tie the legs together with butchers twine and tuck the wings back and underneath.
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10
Coat a roasting rack with oil (any kind) and place it inside a roasting pan.
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11
Place the capon, breast side up, on the rack.
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12
Pour the chicken broth and water into the roasting pan.
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13
Roast the capon until the internal temperature of the thigh reaches 170 degrees F, about 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 hours.
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14
Remove to a cutting board and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes before carving.
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15
Meanwhile, pour all the drippings from the roasting pan into a heatproof measuring cup.
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16
When the drippings settle, skim off the fat (alternatively, you can use a fat separator) and discard.
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17
Place the roasting pan across two burners over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of the reserved drippings, and heat until sizzling.
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18
Add the sherry and orange juice and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a flat spatula.
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19
Simmer until the alcohol smell cooks off, about 5 minutes.
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20
Add the remaining drippings and simmer until reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
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21
Remove from the heat and whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
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22
Strain through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the solids.
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23
Season with salt and pepper.
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24
Serve alongside the capon.
