Roasted Marinated Chicken with Mango Salsa

A roosted chicken, hot or cold, is a most delicious meal. Stuff it or not, and serve it with tiny roast potatoes and broccoli with drawn butter. In summer, when green corn is plentiful, a cold roast chicken and corn on the cob make a delightful meal. This, with a good green salad and some chilled fruit, is a dinner that will serve both family and guests.

If you are to serve cold chickens, cook your birds in the morning or early afternoon and let them cool rather than chill. A bird cooled without refrigeration is much more crisp on the outside, and the meat is juicier and more flavorful. A faint touch of the oven heat should remain.

Ingredients:

For the marinated chicken:

• 6 whole chicken legs, skinned
• 2 Tbsp Asian fish sauce
• 2 Tbsp peanut oil
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp minced fresh ginger
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 Tbsp sesame seeds

For the mango salsa:

• 2 ripe, firm mangos, 1/2" dice
• 3 Tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp dried fire-roasted tomatoes
• 2 tsp fresh lime juice
• pinch of sea salt

Directions:
To make the salsa combine all ingredients together and gently mix. Adjust individual ingredients to taste. Store covered in fridge until ready to use.



To marinate the chicken in the small bowl combine fish sauce, peanut oil, soy sauce, cilantro, garlic, ginger, honey and sesame seeds. Coat the chicken with the marinade. Let stand at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400F. Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and roast for 45-50 minutes, until cooked. Serve with mango salsa, cilantro and lime.

Baked Tomatoes and Zucchini with Peach Salsa

Look for plum tomatoes and zucchini with similar diameters so that you have uniform slices to arrange attractively atop the sautéed red onions that form an aromatic base for this Mediterranean-inspired side dish.

Ingredients for Baked Tomatoes and Zucchini:

• 2 Tbs. olive oil 
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 
• 3/4 lb. plum tomatoes, sliced 
• 2 small zucchini, about 3/4 lb. total, sliced 
• 1 Tbs. minced fresh dill 
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 
• 1/4 cup water or chicken broth
• 2 oz. goat cheese, crumbled  
• 2 Tbs.fine bread crumbs ( I like to use fresh bread crumbs) 

Ingredients for the Peach Salsa:

• 1 cup chopped peaches 
• 1 red yellow bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped 
• 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped 
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion 
• 1 to 2 jalapeno chilies, seeded and finely chopped 
• 3 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro  
• 1 tsp. grated lime zest or lemon zest
• 2 Tbs. fresh lime/lemon juice 
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

To make the peach salsa, in a bowl, combine the peaches, bell pepper, onion, chilies, cilantro, lime zest and lime juice and toss gently to mix. Season with salt and pepper. Let stand at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before serving.

Preheat an oven to 350°F. Butter or oil a shallow baking dish.

In a fry pan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the onion and sauté slowly until very soft and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer the onion slices to the prepared baking dish, spreading them evenly over the bottom. Season with salt and pepper. 

Arrange the tomato slices and zucchini slices over minced fresh garlic in alternate rows. Sprinkle with the dill, goat cheese and bread crumbs and season with salt and pepper. Pour the water evenly over the vegetables.

Cover and bake until the vegetables are bubbling and tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, uncover and serve hot directly from the dish. 

Serves 4 .