The Food of Downton Abbey: Roasted Honey Dijon Chicken

As fans of the internationally acclaimed television series Downton Abbey are very aware of, the American release of season three is underway and there is really no better way to celebrate than enjoying the food of the era when the show takes place. So as you get ready to venture back into the abbey for another season, settle down with some wonderful authentic Edwardian cuisine.

Festivities were really a way of life at the English abbeys of the Edwardian era. If there was any reason to celebrate, they did and they often did it with food. As season three of Downton Abbey in America comes to a close, they do so with their annual two-hour Christmas special (called a Christmas special as it airs in England on Christmas Day). With this event in mind ( and yes, anything that attracts close to 100-million viewers worldwide is an event), we thought we would celebrate with a classic holiday entree.

During the Edwardian era, this dish known as Roasted Honey Dijon Chicken, would be made with a capon, hen or if using chicken, only the breasts. In adapting this dish for today's kitchen, we are using chicken quarters. It is much more tastier using the dark meat of the fowl and the flavors mesh much more enjoyable with the honey Dijon glaze.

It should be pointed out that this recipe is per serving. If you would like to see a complete how-to slideshow for making Roasted Honey Dijon Chicken, go to the free Facebook page called The Food of Downton Abbey.

Ingredients needed to make Roasted Honey Dijon Chicken (this is per serving):

• 1 chicken quarter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 Tbs. Dijon-style mustard
• 1 Tbs. honey
• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 1/4 tsp. ground dried ginger

Steps:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees.
2. Place the chicken quarter into a roasting pan and season with salt and pepper.
3. Place into the oven and roast 35 minutes.
4. In a small bowl, stir the Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil and ginger until smooth.
5. Remove the chicken from the oven and spoon the mustard sauce atop. Place back into the oven and roast another 15 minutes (the sauce will turn into a glaze).
6. Pre-heat your broiler.
7. Remove the chicken from the oven and place under the broiler a few minutes to crisp up the skin.
8. Place upon a serving dish and serve.

The new cookbook from Chef Larry Edwards is now available from Amazon.com and bookstores worldwide. One of the most anticipated cookbooks of the year, "Edwardian Cooking: Inspired by Downton Abbey's Elegant Meals."