ROAST CHICKEN WITH BULGUR AND WALNUT PILAF

Roast Chicken with Bulgur and Walnut Pilaf image

Yield serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 chickens
3 to 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
For the bulgur pilaf
3 cups coarse or medium bulgur
1 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons sunflower oil
4 1/2 cups chicken stock (or use 1 1/2 bouillon cubes)
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 1/2 cups walnuts, coarsely chopped
2/3 to 1 stick (5 1/2 to 8 tablespoons) butter, cut into small pieces

Steps:

Rub the chickens with a mixture of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Put them breast side down in a roasting pan so that the fat runs down, which prevents the breasts from drying out. Add 1/4 cup of water to the bottom of the pan. Roast for 1 hour in an oven preheated to 400°F, then turn the chickens breast side up and continue to cook for about 30 minutes, depending on their size, until they are well done and the skin is crisp and brown.
While the chickens are cooking, prepare the pilaf. Wash the bulgur-although I find that with the processed qualities of bulgur today, this is not strictly necessary. Pour cold water over it, stir well, and then rinse under cold running water. Fry the onion in the oil until it is soft and golden. Add the bulgur, stir well, then pour in the hot stock. Add salt (taking into consideration the saltiness of the stock), pepper, cinnamon, and allspice. Stir and cook, covered and undisturbed, over very low heat for about 15 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the grain is tender. Check the seasoning and add salt if necessary. Finally, fold in the walnuts and the butter pieces.
Carve the chicken and serve with the bulgur pilaf.