ROAST CAPON

Steps:

• Sprinkle the bird liberally with salt, wrap it well and refrigerate until you are ready to roast it.
• Preheat oven 425ºF.
• Place the capon, breast side up, in a large (13"x16"x3") roasting pan and pat the outside dry with paper towels.
• Sprinkle the cavity generously with salt and pepper.
• Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tie the wings close to the body of the capon.
• Brush the capon with half the melted butter or margarine, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.
• Place the onions and carrots in a large bowl.
• Add the rest of the melted butter or margarine to the carrots and onions in the bowl, plus 1 tablespoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper; toss well.
• Place the onions and carrots around the capon; use lemon juice on capon and place rosemary sprigs and quarterd lemons around the bird.
• Place the capon into the oven legs first (the back of the oven tends to be hotter than the front)and roast for 1-1/2, until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and thigh.
• Remove the capon from the oven and cover the pan with aluminum foil.(If the vegetables aren't browned, transfer the capon to a platter and cover with aluminum foil).
• Return the vegetables to the oven to cook while the meat rests.
• Allow the capon to rest for 20 minutes, then carve it and serve warm with the vegetables.
• Skim the fat off the pan juices and pour over the carved capon and vegetables.
• For the whole dinner, serve; buttermilk mashed potatoes, green beans with shallots, orange-honey glazed carrots,and pumpkin mousse parfait. This is how the Barefoot Contessa served this meal.
• Enjoy!