Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Just in case you've ever wondered...


Just in case you've ever wondered, when a recipe for roasting chicken breasts says to "rinse and pat dry" each breast, please do so.

The recipe was simple.
"Rinse and pat dry" chicken breasts. Place them in a roasting pan and drizzle 2 teaspoons of olive oil over them. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in a 400 degree oven 45-55 minutes until juices from chicken run clear.

I learned a hard and smelly lesson this morning. I thought "Why should I pat the chicken dry? It's going in the oven. The heat from the oven will make the water evaporate." WRONG!! Why? Because when you roast chicken in the oven, you always use some olive oil, too. The mixture of oil and water in the oven caused a whole lot of smoke!!!! There wasn't enough smoke to make the smoke alarms go off (thank the Lord!!!), but the oven is VERY dirty from the chicken popping all over the place!!!!

So, the chicken breasts are finally done. They don't smell nor do they look funny. All that's left for me to do is to do is to let the chicken cool down and shred it.

Oh, and clean the oven. Can't forget to do THAT today!!

Lesson learned.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Funny...
Question... why do ya think we have to rinse it anyway? We don't rinse pork or beef... Hmm

Paula said...

Don't feel too badly; I've done the same thing. I've also forgotten to dry it off before placing in in a frying pan of hot oil. Cleaning up all that splattered oil is no picnic.

Blessings,
Mrs. C

Angela - Life w/ Two Busy Boys said...

I've often wondered about why it's necessary to pat dry - now I know. :)

Arlene said...

Fortunately, this has never happened to me! But, I promise I will learn from your mistake, LOL! :P Thanks for teaching us the importance of following directions :~)

P.S. I'm glad you enjoyed your little blogging break :)

Wendi said...

I will remember to pat that bird dry! Live and Learn is what I always say!

Heather Anne said...

I like to place a piece of parchment paper loosly over the chicken and that way it still gets nicely browned and my oven doesn't require cleaning! I have patted dry and not patted dry and discovered, like you, it's worth the extra 30 seconds and a fresh tea towel!

We had a really yummy main dish tonight so I posted the recipe! Drop by and see if it might appeal to your family, if you like!

Blessings!
Heather

Anonymous said...

I would have done the same thing!
Hey, I have an idea of what you can blog about.
I loved the post you did on airing beds. I will never forget it, lol.
Maybe you can do some more posts from the book, "Home Comforts"?
Just an idea.
:)

Paula said...

Mrs. U, I don't think I've ever patted chicken dry--now I will know to do it. I need to clean my oven also.

Blessing,
Paula

Joyfull said...

I just found your blog and love it! It was also a learning experience on patting chicken dry. I like to take many shortcuts in the kitchen, but for now on, this will not be one of them!!

Kelli said...

I've always ignored that step and now I know why my oven is always dirty! Haha! I will follow the directions next time. Thanks Mrs. U!!

Kelli

Mrs. S said...

Ha, so that's what it is. I always thought the smoke came from the low smoke point of olive oil. I am making chicken for company on Sunday and will have to remember that. Thanks!

Mrs. S.

Heather said...

Hello! I'm dropping by for my first comment, and wanted to mention how much I enjoyed reading your blog. Blessings to you! Heather

Julieann said...

Oh No!!! I am sorry about the oven getting messy!!! I will always think of you now, as I pat my chicken dry--I will say, I am doing this because Mrs. U says this:)))

Julieann

Paula said...

Glad to know I'm not the only one who questions the directions. And, yes, I learn the hard way, too! Thanks for sharing and happy cleaning!!

Simply Stork said...

I learned that the hard way too...arg! I do wonder why no other meats are like that?
~simply stork~

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