| Prep: 40 mins | Cook: 2 hours | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 487 | 28g | 7g | 23g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 16g | 3g | 41g | 1.2g |
Anytime I get to make a dish I’m excited about, it’s a genuine joy to share. That joy is entirely palpable for me every time I cook up a batch of Roasted chicken with Gac fruit sauce. This dish is somewhat of an exploration for me – it distances itself a little from my comfort zone of Montana rancher’s favorites. But, isn’t it exciting when you can throw caution to the wind, explore new flavors and create something memorable and delectable? With its vibrant taste profile and an invigorating blend of herbs and zesty lemon, this dish surely achieves that.
The Love for Discovery
The feature that particularly strikes me about this recipe is the Gac fruit sauce. Originating from Southeast Asia, the Gac fruit is a powerhouse of nutrients with numerous health benefits. Packed with beta-carotene, lycopene and a whole host of other antioxidants, this fruit not only lends a unique taste to the sauce but also boosts your immune system.
That’s one of the main reasons why I love recipes like this. Every new dish is not just a new combination of flavors to experiment with, but it’s also a chance to learn about ingredients from other corners of the globe. It reminds me that the culinary world is just as vast as the rolling hills of Montana.
Pairings and Complements
Roasted chicken with Gac fruit sauce is not just a standalone dish. Its beautiful, robust sauce lends itself well to harmony with a variety of side dishes. If you want to keep the meal on the healthier side while complimenting the sweet, tart sauce, try it with a lightly dressed arugula and cherry tomato salad, or a side of lightly steamed asparagus. If you fancy comfort food, creamy mashed potatoes or a side of wild rice would make a phenomenal choice. This recipe pairs well with many of the dishes inspired by my Montana roots, be it a rustic salad or a hearty stew.
I find this dish somewhat similar to the more commonly heard of roast chicken with cranberry sauce. Yet, the Gac fruit lends a unique, fresh twist setting it apart from the traditional roast.
Carefully curated flavors, the joy of discovering a new fruit and its health benefits, and a multitude of pairing options all contribute to why I love the Roasted chicken with Gac fruit sauce recipe. Here’s hoping you enjoy whipping up and savoring this flavorful dish just as much as I do.
What You’ll Need
- 1 whole chicken (about 4 – 5 lbs)
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh Rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh Thyme, chopped
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- For Gac fruit sauce:
- 1 large Gac fruit (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Salt to taste
Method
Step One
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Clean the chicken, pat it dry with paper towels, and then season it inside and out with salt and black pepper. Place it on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan.
Step Two
In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, chopped rosemary, thyme, lemon zest, lemon juice, and minced garlic. Rub this mixture all over the chicken, making sure to get it under the skin as well.
Step Three
Rub the outside of the chicken with the remaining oil mixture. Place it in the preheated oven and roast it for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature should read 165°F or 74°C).
Step Four
While the chicken is roasting, you can prepare the Gac fruit sauce. Cut the Gac fruit in half and scoop out the pulp. In a saucepan, combine the Gac pulp with 1 cup of water and the honey. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Step Five
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a bit of cold water until it forms a smooth paste. Slowly add this to the Gac fruit sauce, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook the sauce until it thickens. Season it to taste with salt.
Step Six
Once the chicken is roasted, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Serve the chicken with the Gac fruit sauce on the side. Enjoy the blend of juicy chicken and the unique taste of the Gac fruit!
