I’ve decided there’s no Christmas unless there’s a turkey on the table. I mean, I’ve been doing that for a long time now. The thing is…I don’t have a proper oven (yet). I have a new kitchen and I still have to buy an oven, but meanwhile I’m still using my good old small oven.

Why haven’t I bought a bigger oven yet? I haven’t found one that I really liked. If you have any suggestions, please let me know, I’m very specific when it comes to kitchen appliances.

Don’t get me wrong, my small Moulinex is one of the best things I’ve ever bought in my life. It’s small, cooks food fast and I can’t be happier about the results when it comes to roasting or baking. The thing is…I can’t cook a turkey. So, I’ve always made chicken on Thanksgiving, and now…for this Christmas recipe. It’s ok…I can make more than one, but I’m really willing to find my new oven that fits a turkey or a ham if I want to. Or, you know…the biggest pumpkin on earth.

Ingredients:

For the chicken and veggies:

1 chicken (approximately 2 kg)

2 oranges

Black pepper

Small onions

4 carrots

1 garlic head

For the mash:

5 big potatoes

2 tbsp unsalted butter

100 ml whole milk

black pepper

salt

grated nutmeg

For the gravy:

The juices of the chicken

1 glass of water

1 tbsp butter

1 tbsp flour

Method:

Cut the top of the onions and leave them unpeeled. Place them on a baking tray together with the carrots and the whole garlic bulb.

Place the chicken on top and make some cuts on the skin and flesh to accomodate some orange slices.

Cut one of the orange in slices and then in halves. Place on those cuts.

Juice the other orange and add on top of the chicken.

Add salt to the veggies and the chicken to your taste.

Cover with foil and cook in the oven (200-225ºC) for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Uncover and take out the juices from the tray.

Meanwhile boil the potatoes unpeeled and in chunks.

Place the veggies in another tray. Roast both trays for another 30 minutes or until the chicken skin and veggies are roasted.

Make the gravy while you wait by making a roux (1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp flour and adding the chicken juices and water gradually)

Make the mashed potatoes by taking out the water and smashing them with a fork (or, you know, the proper utensil) add the butter, milk and spices. Be careful not to add too much milk. Do it gradually in order to have the perfect texture. Take into account that it’s going to dry out a bit before serving it.

Take everything out of the oven and enjoy!

And of course, have fun and keep fooding!