insideKENT Magazine Issue 76 - July 2018 | Page 152

OUTDOORLIVING
THE ULTIMATE SUMMER GARDEN PARTY cont.
BEER CAN CHICKEN (4)
www.gourmetmeatclub.co.uk
Ingredients:
• 1 whole chicken (1.3kg)
• 1 500ml can of lager
• Olive oil
For the rub:
• 2tbsp cayenne powder (or less to taste)
• 2tbsp ground black pepper
• 1tbsp paprika
• 1tbsp rock salt
• 1tbsp sugar
• 1tbsp garlic powder
• 1tsp mustard powder
• 1tsp ground cumin
Method:
1. Light a lidded barbecue and allow the
flames to die down.
2. Once the coals are ready, carefully
spread them to form a ring around the
outside edge of the barbecue as you don’t
want your chicken to be placed directly
on the heat.
5. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil then massage the
rub into the skin, ensuring the inside of the chicken is
coated too.
6. Open the beer can and take several sips until the can
is half full.
3. If you’re using a smaller barbecue, you
may need to remove the grills and place
the chicken on a roasting tin on the floor
of the barbecue in the middle of the coals
– this will give you space to close the lid
once the chicken is in. If you have a large
barbecue, the chicken can sit directly on
the grill. 7. Place the can on a solid surface, grab a chicken leg
in each hand and place the bird over the beer can, the
beer will evaporate whilst cooking which will keep the
chicken moist and tender.
4. Mix together the herbs and spices to
form a rub. 9. The two legs should help the chicken to balance like
a tripod.
8. Once the chicken is sitting upright, transfer the bird
onto the centre of the barbecue in the middle of the
coals, either in the roasting tin or directly on the grill.
Cooking:
1. Close the BBQ lid and cook for 1hr 20
mins until the chicken is crisp, the meat
tender and the juices run clear.
2. If the juices aren’t clear after this time,
cook for a further 10 mins, then check
again.
3. The internal temperature of the chicken
needs to be 74°C.
4. Once the chicken is cooked, remove
from the barbecue and cover in tin foil
for 10 minutes before serving.
What to do:
Other than sip on delicious drinks, eat some good food and catch up with
your nearest and dearest, there’s not an awful lot anyone needs to ‘do’ at a
summer garden party, and there’s nothing worse than a forced schedule
of games. That said, you need to set the scene and give people the option
to have a laugh if they want to. Make sure there’s space suitable for a bit of
a boogie if you have known movers and shakers among your peers.
Next, music. Compile your party playlist well ahead of time – for the
musically challenged among us, there’s lots of inspiration and pre-prepared
playlists that you can legally pinch from streaming services like Spotify and
Soundcloud. Make sure you’re plugged into a good speaker too.
It won’t do you any harm to hire a karaoke machine. They’re a relatively
cheap option (you’ll probably be able to borrow one if you ask around) and
can simply be set up somewhere to be pounced on as and when your guests
may feel the need to belt out a bit of Bob Dylan, before they launch into an
existential debate about what on earth a rolling stone does actually feel like.
When day has become night and the party’s over, pack your guests off into
taxis (pre-booked taxis; you’ll thank me for that) and slam the door shut.
You’ve done it. Sling your shoes off, kick back with one for the road, and
don’t, under any circumstances look at the mess they’ve made of your
garden (and probably parts of your house too) – it’s a party; give yourself
a break and tidy up in the morning.
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