Frankly, the weather here has been miserable. Cold and rainy weather does not equal happy farmers; especially when we need to get seeds in the ground. We have yet to start our spring planting. Hopefully after Sunday’s sunny weather and the forecast for dry and sunny weather the rest of the week, we will get everything done. I am already prepared mentally to not see my husband for about 7 days straight. I need to make a couple loaves of bread (for field lunches) and buy some Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew to keep him awake.
The lone bright spot in this dreary month has been our rhubarb patch. I am a rhubarb-aholic. This past week I have been picking from our three plants and getting some of it processed into sauces, jams and crisps. The plants are not huge yet (because we haven’t had any heat) but there is still plenty there. On Friday, I experimented with a new recipe and it turned out perfect.
Roasted Chicken with Rhubarb Sauce Recipe:
Rhubarb Sauce- from The Joy of Rhubarb by Theresa Millang
- 1.25 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 6 cups fresh rhubarb sliced about 1/4 inch thick (I used my food processor)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Mix sugar, water and orange peel in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add rhubarb. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring often, until rhubarb is tender and mixture is thickened; about 8 minutes. Stir in vanilla. Cool. Make 3.5 cups. Chicken recipe only need about 1.5 cups. Store remaining sauce in refrigerator up to 1 week or freeze.
Chicken
- 3-4 lbs Zweber Farms whole chicken cut into 6 pieces (video on how to cut up a whole chicken)
- 2 tablespoons Organic Valley butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Arrange chicken pieces in a 9×13 or 11×15 glass baking dish. Do not crowd the pieces.
Brush chicken pieces with butter and bake in preheated over for 30 minutes, uncovered
Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg evenly over chicken pieces and spoon 3/4 cup rhubarb sauce over chicken.
Return to oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes (or until juices run clear)
Spoon remaining rhubarb sauce over chicken and serve.
I served this dish with quinoa, steamed green beans and a glass of Organic Valley milk. It was a HUGE hit and I will be making it again soon.
Link up to more Hunk of Meat Monday recipes here
Enjoy!
Emily
Zweber Farms is a 4th generation family operated organic dairy. We are proud Organic Valley farmer members and sell our milk under that label. We also specialize in sustainably raised beef, pork and chicken and sell it directly to customers in Minnesota.Visit our website to learn more, www.zweberfarms.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitterand YouTube.
I have to get my hands on some rhubarb. We have soccer on Saturday mornings, and I always miss the one and only farmers market time. Dang this looks so good. Thanks for linking up to Hunk of Meat Monday. Have a great week Emily!
Ohh I wish you lived closer!! We always have rhubarb to spare. Just drive around your town until you find someone with rhubarb in their garden. Then make friends with them. Rhubarb growers are always sharing because the plants produce so much 🙂
We LOVE rhubarb sauce and I am hoping to make some soon. I never thought of putting it with meat though. Great idea Emily! Hope you are feeling well and getting ready for a baby girl soon!