Washington’s winter table

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, about 1.6 kg / 3½ lb
• 40 g softened butter (3 tbsp)
• 1 lemon, halved
• 4 garlic cloves, lightly crushed
• 1 tbsp chopped thyme or rosemary
• 1½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 onion, thickly sliced

Method

1. Heat the oven to 200°C / 400°F. Pat the chicken dry; do not rinse it. Put onion slices in a roasting dish.
2. Mix butter with herbs, salt and pepper. Rub over the chicken and gently under the breast skin. Put lemon and garlic loosely inside the cavity.
3. Roast breast-side up for about 70–90 minutes. Start checking early: both the thickest breast and inner thigh must reach 74°C / 165°F, without the thermometer touching bone.
4. Rest for 15 minutes, then carve. Spoon over the pan juices.

A smaller bird replaces the recorded goose; the lemon-and-herb seasoning belongs to this home version.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb (680 g) waxy potatoes, in 1-inch pieces
• 1 lb (450 g) green cabbage, thickly sliced
• 3 tbsp (40 g) butter
• 1 tsp cider vinegar
• Salt and black pepper

Method

1. Put the potatoes in a saucepan, cover with cold water and add a small pinch of salt. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 15–20 minutes, until tender.
2. Meanwhile put cabbage, 1 tbsp butter and 3 tbsp water in a second pan. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 10–15 minutes. Stir once or twice; add a splash of water if dry.
3. Drain potatoes and let steam escape for 1 minute. Fold in the remaining butter. Finish cabbage with vinegar and pepper; season both after tasting.

Keep the potatoes at a gentle boil so their edges survive the trip to the table.

Ingredients

• 4 medium baking apples
• 2 tbsp (30 g) soft butter
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 tbsp raisins
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) water

Method

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Core the apples from the top, leaving their bases intact. Stand them in a snug baking dish.
2. Mix butter, sugar, raisins and cinnamon. Fill the cavities and pour the water around the apples.
3. Bake for 30–45 minutes until a small knife enters the flesh easily. The apples should still hold their shape. Spoon over the dish juices.

Use similar-sized apples. If one collapses early, lift it out; it still tastes good.