Punctuality is an admirable but non essential virtue. As a virtue it is not overly demanding in that it only requires accuracy in its employment. Amongst my friends there is one, a peer of the realm, who as a young man demonstrated the results of such an inaccuracy. It is necessary to mark him as a peer as grandeur and noblesse oblige are essential elements of this parable. On one of his regular visits to his parents’ magnificent country pile he noticed that he had overlooked an invitation to a fancy dress ball at another of the grand houses in the county. Realising that such an event would require more than a burnt cork moustache he set off to the costume hire shop in the nearest town. The ubiquity, at that time, of costume hire shops was in direct relation to the British love of “dressing up”. As it happened there had been a run on costumes, probably on account of the upcoming fancy dress ball, and all that remained in his size was a roast potato costume. Life often turns on small decisions, such as whether one should be seen abroad dressed as a roast potato, without due thought. On the appointed hour he arrived in front of the magnificent façade of his hosts’ country house and parked in a dark corner where he could change into his costume, as the bulk of a roast potato is not suited to the confines of a car. Another limitation of the roast potato as a costume is that the hands and arms remain inside the construction leaving only the head and legs exposed. He had fire in his belly as he approached the great doors of the house, and he still felt he could pull it off. Oh, that he had ; knocking on the massive oak door, with his hands and arms “hors de combat”, entailed using his head. Still reeling from the pain of administering a Glaswegian kiss to the unyielding ancient oak he was confronted by the butler who was naturally well acquainted with my friend dropping in on his elevated employees – “Good evening, my Lord, do come in”. Confidence was now building at the same rate as the dizziness was receding. The duo proceeded down the unusually quiet corridor to the doors of the grand dining room, which the butler opened with a flourish whilst simultaneously ushering my potato clad chum into the elegant room, leaving him no chance to retreat to the safety of the corridor which led to the sanctuary of his car and escape. The noble potato now found himself standing before the elegant candle lit dining table, either end of which sat his illustrious hosts enjoying a quiet dinner à deux. Bare legged in a wire and brown canvas construction which encased his arms, his only reaction was to precariously bow a greeting, whilst praying that he would not overbalance and have to explain his mistake whilst speaking alternately to the ceiling, a blurred vision of his hosts, the carpet and the butler as, rudderless, he rolled babbling across the Aubusson until brought to a sharp halt by the exquisitely carved leg of the dining table or his hostess. “Good evening, David, how nice to see you – please do join us”. The impossibility of complying with this request was clear to all, but was nonetheless mouthed out of politeness.
Jenny and I found ourselves in a similar situation on Saturday night, though both of us had wisely chosen not to go as roast potatoes. A haggis costume would have been more apposite as we gingerly made our way down the darkened path towards the gaily lit house of our friends who had invited us to a Burns night supper, only not on that night.
It should be reiterated that punctuality, though an admirable virtue, is not over demanding, The sole requirement is precision without which it invariably becomes a fucking embarrassment to everyone involved.
Sunday worked out better thanks to a deliciously simple pot roasted chicken. Just brown some lardons and shallots in a big casserole. Put a roasting chicken stuffed with lemons and thyme on top. Parboil some potatoes, put them into a colander to steam for a bit and then shake them around in the cooking pan to break up the edges. Add half a bottle of good white wine and seal the casserole with a flour and water paste. Leave it to cook for about 3 hours, or longer, in an oven of 180C. Break the pastry seal and there is a perfect golden chicken with the stickiest and most delicious juices beneath it.
Sunday certainly did work out better – that’s a beautiful looking chicken and roast potatoes!
Sunday was a time for reflection on dumbness and feasting on a good chicken followed by tarte fine aux pommes. By then we’d forgotten about it and were ready to be stupid all over again.
Great story! That chicken is perfect. Why doesn’t my chicken look like that? Better try the recipe.
It’s worth browning the breast of the chicken for about 2 minutes in the hot oil with the lardons and shallots. The magic of this system is that you could do it with beef or a lamb shoulder, and chuck in whatever vegetables and liquids take your fancy.
There is nothing quite so delicious as a perfectly roasted chicken, such as the one you’ve pictured here. Nicely done! I did enjoy the two tales of timeliness, Roger, and hope that one day you’ll find the second to be as amusing as the first, if you haven’t already. 🙂
We’ve been forgiven, and go back for the main event on Wednesday with the rest of those celebrating Burns night. Hope to have something about Haggis to tell you afterwards.
Wonderful story. I read it aloud to Heather who kept interrupting with loud laughter. Thankyou, and best wishes
Many thanks, John. Glad you liked it.
It took me ages to read this because I was laughing so much – two brilliant stories and one fantastic recipe. Will have to try out the flour and water paste seal as the chicken looks amazing.
Thanks for that – and it really is a brilliant recipe.
Love the chicken and for the story, well my sides ache so much from reading it to myself then out loud to friends. Many thanks
Thanks for the appreciation – glad it worked for you:-)
After reading this brilliant-telling of two tales, I’d highly recommend a good guffaw before breakfast! Can hardly imagine a better way to start the day – nor a better dinner at the end than this exquisite-looking roasted chicken of yours. Thank you for both! What a wonderful post Roger!
By the way, I’ve prepared roasted chicken much like this, with the lid sealed in place with the bread-y rope around the pot – it’s amazingly good and deceptively simple! What a great idea to take it to a friends house to share – it seems so well-suited for travel!
Have chicken – will travel:-)
I almost chocked to death laughing- your blogs should have a health warning Rog.
Hilarious! I felt bad for your friend just for having to maneuver in that contraption! And, using his head to knock on the door? Priceless.
Thanks for that:-)
I haven’t dressed for Halloween in years and now I want to be Mr. Potato. I obviously didn’t seize on the moral of this story!
You’ll have to have a bespoke potato costume made by your tailor, Greg:-)
That looks amazing and must have been some compensation for the embarrassment of the night before. I’ve never sealed a casserole with flour and water paste – must try it some time as it must really ensure that none of the wonderful flavour escapes.
With hide like a rhinoceros, the embarrassment dissolved after the first glass of wine!
That gave me a good chuckle.
Maybe I could make my kids some potato costumes, the imagery is too good not to. I could bribe them to wear it, with the lure of the chicken dinner afterwards.
The potato costume is not a pretty sight – only to be worn as a last resort.
Having been in more than one country Pile whilst in England, wandering about and encountering those gorgeous and unfaltering manners, and those dreadful dinners in enormous freezing dining rooms, I have to confess that i read that story laughing with tears running down my face, I sat up here in my midwest (cast to the winds) loft, guffawing in a most unattractive fashion. (No-one around to see thankfully). I know this poor dear fellow! And now I have to go back, as i took no notice of your chicken what so ever! but i am sure it was lovely darling.. c
Unlike the country house dinners, the chicken was great:-)
lemons and thyme make my favourite stuffing for chicken! I loved this post – I have a friend who thinks lateness is OK!
I have a wife who thinks lateness is OK:-)
Wow!
That’s a very good looking bird 🙂
Never heard of the flour and water paste to seal the pot … interesting.
Do it – it really works amazingly
hahah.. that’s a funny one.. and hey! that looks like a wonderful meal!
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