Wednesday Night's Feast

I decided to cook something I have never cooked before...a whole chicken!  Jas and I have been on a quest to eat healthier, so I bought this new cookbook, The Best of Clean Eating.  I LOVE this cookbook!  I glanced through all the recipes and they are not only healthy, but delicious and easy to make.  I'm going page by page through the book making each recipe and last night was Balsamic Roast Chicken with potatoes and green beans.

Ingredients
-whole chicken (5-6lb) - I couldn't find one that big, mine was 4ish
-1 1/2 t sea salt
-1 1/2 t dried thyme
-1 1/2 t dried rosemary
-black pepper, to taste
-4 t olive oil
-3 T balsamic vinegar
-1 1/2 lb baby red potatoes, halved
-1 lb green beans (called for french-style, but I couldn't find those)

1. Preheat oven to 400. Line a roasting pan with foil (I used a cheapo foil roasting pan I bought at the store). Set chicken in pan breast side up.  In a small bowl mix 1 teaspoon salt, thyme, and rosemary plus pepper to taste.  Rub half the oil over the chicken. Loosen the skin covering the breasts and rub about half the herb mixture directly on the meat.  Rub remaining mixture over outside of skin and inside cavity. Drizzle vinegar all over chicken evenly.

2. In a large bowl mix potatoes with remaining 2 teaspoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon thyme and rosemary. 

Spread potatoes around chicken in pan.  Place in oven and cook for 45 minutes.  Then place foil loosely over the top and cook 45 more minutes.  Transfer chicken to cutting board and let rest 10 minutes before carving.

3. Add 1 inch water to a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Place a steaming basket in bottom and add green beans.  Cover and steam about 6 minutes.

This is definitely a dinner to impress but it is SO easy! Jas absolutely loved it and he thought I slaved away all day. This would make quite a nice Valentine's Day dinner :) <3