Roast Chicken Stuffed with Fennel and Garlic
(Arrosto di Pollo Farcito con Finocchio e Aglio)
Ingredients:
3 large fresh fennel bulbs, trimmed, each cut into 8 wedges
2 tbs plus 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
10 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tbs fennel seeds, coarsely crushed in resealable plastic bag
2 tbs chopped fresh thyme
2 tbs chopped fresh rosemary
2 tbs chopped fresh tarragon
2 tbs chopped fresh marjoram
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Two 3-lb whole chickens
2 lemons, halved
1 cup dry white wine
1/3 cup chicken broth
Directions:
Cook fennel in large pot of boiling salted water until tender when pierced with knife, about 8 minutes. Drain. Transfer to bowl.
Mix in 2 tablespoons olive oil; garlic; 1 tablespoon each fennel seeds, thyme, rosemary, tarragon, and marjoram; then 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
Preheat oven to 450°F.
Mix remaining 1 tablespoon each fennel seeds and herbs in small bowl.
Rinse chickens inside and out; pat dry.
Rub chickens inside and out with lemon halves, squeezing some of juice into cavities.
Rub outside of chickens with 1/4 cup olive oil, then fennel seed mixture.
Sprinkle chickens generously with salt and pepper.
Loosely stuff chickens with some of fresh fennel mixture.
Tie legs together.
Place chickens, breast side down, in large roasting pan.
Arrange remaining fresh fennel mixture around chickens.
Roast chickens 30 minutes, basting occasionally with pan juices.
Combine wine and broth and pour over chickens.
Roast 15 minutes.
Turn chickens breast side up.
Roast chickens until juices run clear when pierced with fork in thickest part of thigh, about 40 minutes longer.
Transfer chickens and fennel mixture to platter.
Pour pan juices into bowl; skim off fat.
Pour juices over chickens and serve. Makes 6 servings.