Chef notes
It's traditional to serve a whole animal for Chinese New Year — whether a whole fish or a whole duck. The whole animal is a symbol of unity and completeness.
This Golden Chinese Five Spice Roast Chicken can be turned into a delicious zesty Orange Chicken Noodle Salad the next day. (Oranges are also symbolic because they are golden orange in color, which is a symbol of "gold" wealth and therefore prosperity.) Here's how:
Place shredded roast chicken pieces on a bed of crisp romaine and spinach leaves. Add orange segments. Toss with zesty peanut soy dressing (1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon peanut butter, 2 tablespoons low sodium light soy sauce, juice of 1 orange, 2 tablespoons agave syrup and 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds). Sprinkle on crispy fried wonton skins, fried egg noodle pieces and crushed peanuts and served immediately.
Ingredients
- One 5½-pound chicken, preferably organic
- 2 cups of boiling water
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil
- 1 teaspoon ground sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 tablespoon Chinese five spice powder
- 1 Zest of 1 orange
- 4 spring onions, cut into 1 inch pieces
- One 2-inch piece fresh root ginger, sliced into coins
- 2 pieces star anise
- Peel of 1 orange
- 2 tablespoons low sodium light soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons agave syrup or honey
- 1 tablespoon water
- 5 tablespoons peanut oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated root ginger
- 2 red chilies, seeded and finely chopped
- 2 scallions, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons red rice vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili oil
- 1 large mandarin orange, zest and juice
Preparation
1.Insert a meat hook in the neck of the chicken and hold over a large tray. Ladle hot water over the chicken to shrink the skin, this will help it to crisp. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Mix all the ingredients for the spice rub in a small bowl. Rub the chicken with oil and then the spice mix. Stuff the inside of the bird with the spring onions, ginger, star anise and orange peel.
2.Heat the oven to 350°F, roast the chicken for 1 ½ hours (depending on the size of the bird). Combine all ingredients for the basting liquid in a small bowl and stir until the agave is fully dissolved. In the last 20 minutes of roasting, brush the basting liquid lightly over the chicken.
3.Prepare the Chinese "salsa verde" dressing. Combine all ingredients in a small serving bowl and set aside.
4.Remove the chicken from the oven. Check if it is cooked by inserting a meat skewer in the thickest part of the thigh and if the juices are clear then the meat is cooked (or reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer). Let it rest for about 20 minutes. Carve and serve with the Chinese "salsa verde" sauce.
