Cookaholics Bulletin Board

BuzzFeed ran an interesting taste test comparing the 8 Ultimate Roast Chickens (somehow CI's didn't make the list, but Kenji's did). They compared the Zuni Cafe, Kenji's, Gourmet's Engagement Chicken, Thomas Keller's, Martha Stewart's, Jamie Oliver's, Ree Drummond's (the results of this one was no surprise), and Julia Child's. Keller's won - and I actually thought the results sounded pretty accurate - you can read them here: http://www.buzzfeed.com/christinebyrne/roast-chicken-tournament.

I may just need to make a roast chicken a week to decide for myself! Thanks for posting Lindsay.

Amy

Yes, thanks Lindsay. Interesting post!

Except Ree Drummond's recipe...that woman just makes fat and calorie bombs. I don't get why she's so popular...

Amy

Rotisserie chicken is very popular around here and as such, I almost never roast chicken; not that my roast chicken is poorer then the commercial variety, but we end up with rotisserie chicken at least once a week when we don't want to cook but want something ballpark healthy.

But now I want to roast some chicken.

Paul,

You need to...infinitely better than any rotisserie chicken you can buy.

Amy

Oh, I know. I've made Keller's, actually, and it was really good. But when you have it once a week as quick meal, the motivation to make your own is diminished. I tend to forget just how good home roasted chicken is.

I tend to make roast chicken when I've got time to put some labor into the meal, then use the leftovers for the "I don't have the time/inclination for this" nights. Current favorite use for leftover chicken: Farmhouse Chicken Chowder from CC April/May 2011.

I make Ina Garten's Geoffrey's chicken (the one with the onions, lemons, & white wine) only I use large free range roasters than are usually about 8 lbs. It's really good, so it's sad it didn't make the competition. I'd like to try some of the others with some small chickens though.

I make soup, stew, sandwiches, chicken pot pie, and the occasional pasta with the leftovers. I'll have to try the farmhouse chicken chowder. I have a bunch of dark meat in the freezer still.

Amy,

That sounds like fun. Let us know your results! I haven't made any of these recipes - roast chicken just isn't something I think needs a lot of thought. But I may have to try both Keller and Zuni to see what the fuss is about.

--Lisa