The girls from Additive Free Lifestyle have been running a challenge this week. Every day they post a video in the Facebook group showing how to make a product at home that you may normally buy from the supermarket – using the Thermomix, of course! Though they do provide instructions for those people who don’t own a Thermomix.

Yesterday was supermarket roast chicken. A product I will buy now and then, but now will never buy again after learning that they contain so many ingredients – only 85% chicken! The rest is the seasoning mix plus a plethora of additives, including the dreaded MSG and flavourings.

So, we were challenged to slow cook a chicken instead. Mine turned out beautifully with a yummy seasoning mix all over it consisting of salt, dried chicken broth, paprika. turmeric and onion and garlic powder.

Once cooked, I popped it in a hot oven, top element on, for 15 minutes to crisp up the skin.

Roast chicken, gravy made from juices and cornstarch to thicken. Low carb cauliflower cheese, roast veg and greens. 

If you want it to be more like the supermarket roast chicken, simply brine the raw chicken for up to 24 hours prior to cooking.

A brine is simply a mixture of salt, water and herbs. I like to use

2L water
2/3 cup salt
1/4 cup sugar or a couple of Tbsp of honey
some lemon slices, fresh rosemary, sage and parsley

Heat water and dissolve salt and sugar. Allow to cool before adding remaining ingredients and submerging chicken. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Pat dry and cook as required.
You can also brine chicken breasts and thighs. These will only need 4 to 6 hours.

So, give a slow cooked chook a go – you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how simple and delicious it is. Then, make a nutritious bone broth from the left over carcass!