Best 2 The Barefoot Contessa Recipes

Sunny's Twisted Bacon image

Provided by Sunny Anderson

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 pound bacon strips
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves (from like a zillion sprigs)
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon smoked or hot paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Freshly cracked black pepper

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or nonstick aluminum foil. Take each strip of bacon and twist it along the length being careful to not stretch, just twist. Place the twisted strip on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the rest, nestling them close together on the baking sheet.
In a small bowl, add the brown sugar, thyme, dry mustard, paprika, garlic powder and plenty of black pepper. Mix with a fork until combined.
Sprinkle the sugar mixture all over the bacon. Bake for about 40 minutes. The twists will be slightly flimsy. Let the bacon cool on the baking sheet for 30 minutes, loosening every 10 minutes so they don't stick to the baking sheet. They will firm up once cooled down.

The Barefoot Contessa's Lemon and Garlic Roast Chicken image

Provided by Lvs2Cook

Time 2h10m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (5 -6 lb) roasting chickens
kosher salt, as needed
fresh ground black pepper, as needed
1 bunch fresh thyme
4 lemons
3 heads garlic, halved crosswise
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 lb sliced bacon
1 cup white wine
1/2 cup chicken stock

Steps:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Place the chicken in a large roasting pan. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the chicken. Stuff the cavity with the thyme, reserving enough thyme to garnish the chicken dish, 1 lemon, halved, and 2 halves of the garlic.
Brush the outside of the chicken with the butter and sprinkle again with salt and pepper. Cut 2 of the lemons in quarters and scatter the quarters and remaining garlic around the chicken. Lay the bacon slices over the chicken to cover.
Roast the chicken for 1 hour. Remove the bacon slices from the top of the chicken and set aside. Continue roasting the chicken for an additional 1/2 hour, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh. Be sure to cook thoroughly. Remove to a platter and cover with aluminum foil while you prepare the gravy.
Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the bottom of the pan. Add the wine and chicken stock and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, or until reduced by half.
Slice the chicken on a platter. Garnish the chicken platter with the bacon slices, roasted garlic, reserved thyme and 1 lemon, sliced. Serve with the gravy.