ROASTED CAPON WITH QUINOA-OLIVE STUFFING

Roasted Capon with Quinoa-Olive Stuffing image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 3h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

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2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 large fennel bulb, cut into 1/2-inch chunks, plus 2 tablespoons chopped fronds
Kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 bunch scallions, chopped
1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted pistachios
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pitted green olives
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Grated zest and juice of 1 orange
Freshly ground pepper
1 (8-pound) capon or large roasting chicken, rinsed and patted dry
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/4 teaspoons sweet paprika

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Make the stuffing: Heat the olive oil in a wide saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, fennel chunks and 3/4 teaspoon salt and cook until slightly soft, about 7 minutes. Add the coriander and cumin and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the quinoa and broth and bring to a simmer; cover and cook over low heat until the quinoa is tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool slightly, then add the scallions, dried apricots, pistachios, olives, parsley, orange zest and juice, fennel fronds, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Toss to combine.
Prepare the capon: Season the inside of the bird with salt. Fill the cavity with the quinoa stuffing and tie the legs together. Place any extra stuffing in a small oiled baking dish, cover with foil and set aside. Brush the capon with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Mix the coriander, cumin and paprika in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture over the capon and season with salt.
Pour 1 cup water in the bottom of a large roasting pan; place a rack in the pan. Place the capon on the rack, breast-side down, and roast about 30 minutes. Turn the bird breast-side up, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and roast until a thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 165, 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Place the dish of extra stuffing in the oven about 15 minutes before the capon is done and cook 20 to 30 minutes. Let the capon rest about 15 minutes before carving.