I’m a few days away from a proper post, but I couldn’t keep you in suspense any longer on the whole cast iron dutch oven situation, especially when you were so generous with your roast chicken recipes.
The winner of the perfect pan for the perfect chicken is Elizabeth Beattie, who, like so many of you, “roasts” her chicken in a slow cooker. Maybe it’s because my slow cooker is always filled with yogurt, but this idea was totally new to me, and my mind is fairly blown. My next chicken is going in the slow cooker for sure.
Also, because it’s Tuesday (and just because), a few reads for the day:
From Winnie, on trusting your intuition (as a follow up to this one)
From Cheryl, if your mother needs a new cookbook
Love is like the wind, from Hannah
From Sarah, on a new domesticity
And a song for the week, from my memories that always seem to come back with the sun
Congrats to Elizabeth! And thanks so much to Mighty Nest for sponsoring this, too. Be sure to stop by their site and have a look, and let them know I sent you.
Happy Tuesday, friends. Back again soon.
Occasionally I teach workshops, and I have one coming up this fall. Join me and stellar novelist 
Oh my goodness!!!! Seriously?!?! My cheeks are getting all flush and my heart is beating fast. OH MY! I have always wanted a dutch oven!!! Thank you so much!!!!
Congrats!! =)
Way to go Elizabeth. You represent the slow cooker cooks well!
Thanks so much for the kind shout-out, Alana. Hope you’re well! –S
Thank you for the post, Sarah! It’s a hard topic to get into words, and you did in such a strong way. i’ve been following a few other conversations around the writer you were talking about, and I felt like your piece was such an essential addition to the the whole thing.
oh good grief, did you grow ASPARAGUS??!!!!!!!!!!
Growing. Actively. And although this looks so beautiful and delicious, it’s actually a bit painful because it’s only the 2nd year, and I can’t cut a single stalk until next year! At least they’re photogenic. And just wait till next year–I’m going to write like 10 posts on asparagus recipes alone.
I hear that in the second year, you can harvest one spear per crown. I, too, am in my second year, but don’t have the nerve to try it. My spears are already 5 feet tall here in NJ…I can’t stand the waiting! Can you repost the winning entry here? Thank you.
I heard that too, Anna, but then I read that ANY picking will weaken the crop forever! I’m erring on the side of neurotic Jewish mother here, painful as it is. ANd yes, of course- the winning entry (although I chose it at random!) is this one from Elizabeth:
When I don’t want to hang out by a hot oven I use my slow cooker. Butter and season the heck out of the bird. All kinds of seasonings all over the top. Cut up some lemons and stuff them inside. Place on a rack in your slow cooker and let it go over night on low. In the morning you have a gorgeous rotisserie style chicken. Not quite the same as oven roasted, but if you live in my house, in california, with crappy A/C in the summer, you NEED a version that doesn’t utilize the oven.
Thank you so so much Alana, for sharing those posts!
It arrived today!! Seriously, the fastest shipping ever!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
I will thank the Mighty Nest with a purchase. They have the perfect containers I need!
Warmly,
Elizabeth
Oh, hooray! They’re the best over there. Have fun with the new pot…