Weekend Recipe: Peruvian Roast Chicken with Garlic and Lime
Peruvian food has been on the edge of global dominance for a few years now -- Lima is a foodie destination and restaurants in other parts of the world are building themselves around interpretations of the cuisine. Los Angeles is perhaps the best city in North America to sample Peruvian delicacies, thanks in part to the classic Mario's Peruvian, on Melrose, and more recently to chef Ricardo Zarate, who's putting an upscale, even-more-Asian-influenced spin on the food at Mo-Chica and Picca and the soon to open Paiche.
KCET's America's Test Kitchen has given us this very Intro to Peruvian recipe, a whole roasted chicken that's garlicky and a little spicy. You'll want to marinate the bird for at least six hours, so allow plenty of time -- the herbs will be flavoring the chicken in the fridge. And while you're waiting, whip up this white bean salad as a side dish.
This recipe calls for a vertical poultry roaster. If you don't have one, substitute a 12-ounce can of beer. Open the beer and pour out (or drink) about half of the liquid. Spray the can lightly with nonstick cooking spray and proceed with the recipe. If the top of the chicken is becoming too dark during roasting, place a 7-inch-square piece of foil over the neck and wingtips. If habanero chiles are unavailable, 1 tablespoon of minced serrano chile can be substituted. Wear gloves when working with hot chiles.
Peruvian Roast Chicken with Garlic and Lime
Serves 4
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons kosher salt
6 medium garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons finely grated zest and 1/4 cup juice from 2 limes
1 teaspoon minced habanero chile (see note)
1(3 1/2-to 4-pound) whole chicken
Process all ingredients except chicken in blender until smooth paste forms, 10 to 20 seconds. Using fingers or handle of wooden spoon, carefully loosen skin over thighs and breast and remove any excess fat. Rub half of paste beneath skin of chicken. Spread entire exterior surface of chicken with remaining paste. Tuck wingtips underneath chicken. Place chicken in gallon-size zipper-lock bag and refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 24 hours.
Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Place vertical roaster on rimmed baking sheet. Slide chicken onto vertical roaster so chicken stands upright and breast is perpendicular to bottom of pan. Roast until skin just begins to turn golden and instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of breast registers 140 degrees, 45 to 55 minutes. Carefully remove chicken and pan from oven and increase oven temperature to 500 degrees.
When oven is heated to 500 degrees, place 1 cup water in bottom of pan and return pan to oven. Roast until entire skin is browned and crisp and instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees inserted in thickest part of breast and 175 degrees in thickest part of thigh, about 20 minutes (replenish water as necessary to keep pan from smoking), rotating bird 180 degrees halfway through cooking.
Carefully remove chicken from oven and let rest, still on vertical roaster, 20 minutes. Using kitchen towel, carefully lift chicken off vertical roaster and onto platter or cutting board. Carve chicken and serve, with a spicy mayonnaise if desired.
