Lemon Chicken Drumsticks with Fennel Slaw and Roasted Lemon Potatoes

Lemon  is definitely the theme of the meal this time. Unlike my other posted roasted chicken recipe however, this is a tad less "hit you over the head" lemony. It has lemon juice and zest, but that's it - no lemon slices in the oven.  The chicken part of the meal was adapted from a recipe calling it "Mediterranean Chicken", but I think that is not right at all (just because it has oregano and garlic?). Sheesh.

The Fennel Slaw is an idea from Chef Michael Smith. Wasn't the family's fav in the end, but I liked it. Any excuse to get the mandolin out.  But not just that, it is so fresh tasting and fennel isn't your everyday veg. As for the potatoes, well we roast potatoes probably once a week - but in different styles. Instead of the usual "throw on some kind of spice mix", we tossed the potato wedges in the remains of a bottle of Farm Boy lemon-garlic salad dressing. These dressings are pretty awesome. Checking the label, there is no added sugar or weird preservatives - just lemon, garlic, oil, salt & pepper.

Lemon Chicken Drumsticks with Fennel Slaw and Roasted Lemon Potatoes.
I almost forgot to take a photo before I ate it all, hence the tiny amount of everything on the plate.

This turned out to be perfect for a Sunday family meal. Was really super easy, very little muss and fuss.  Preparing the slaw ahead of time is actually better, the flavours marinate better. And plus, the chicken and potatoes can go in the oven at the same time at the same temp.

Next Time: would maybe try a bit longer at a bit lower temp

Me: 8/10
SO: 7/10
SSO: 4/10

Lemon Chicken Drumstick and Roasted Lemon Potatoes
This made enough for the 3 of us plus some left over slaw for lunches.
Ingredients

• 8-10 chicken drumsticks
• Enough potatoes for your meal, I used around 6 medium. Wash, cut off bad parts, and slice into small wedges.
• 3 or 4 Tbsp of Farmboy Lemon Garlic salad dressing
• juice and zest of a lemon
• 1 Tbsp or so of oil
• 3-4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
• 2 tsp dried oregano, or 2 Tbsp fresh oregano leaves
• freshly ground salt & pepper

Method

1. Pre-heat oven to 400.
2. Toss the drumsticks in the combined ingredients (all except for Farmboy dressing), and place them in a baking dish. I'm not a big Pampered Chef guy, but I love my PC baking dish.
3. Toss potato wedges in the Farmboy dressing, spread them in another baking dish.
4. Bake until done, at least 40 minutes but could be more - depending on drumstick size and potato wedge size - so check.

Fennel Slaw

Ingredients

• 1 Fennel bulb
• 2 large carrots, or 3 medium
• Juice and zest of a lemon
• 2 Tbsp coriander seeds
• 2 Tbsp veg oil or olive oil
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 Tbsp dijon
• salt to taste

Method

1. Thinly slice the fennel. Start by cutting of the top and a tiny bit of the bottom. Then, cut in half lengthwise, cut out the woody heart, and use a knife or mandolin to slice across the bottom (if it is sitting right-side up, it would be a horizontal cut).
2. Julienne your carrots (I actually prefer something longer than the "classic" 2" julienne cut.
3. Shake the rest of the ingredients in a jar until emulsified, then pour over and mix well.