#SOL18: On Spatchcocking a Chicken
Posted on March 1st, 2018
I had a poignant moment last night where I really missed my mom. (Grief is funny that way—it will smack you suddenly at the oddest moments years after the loved one has died.) I was trying a new chicken recipe my husband found on the Food52 website: Spatchcocked Chicken. (In case, like me, you’ve never heard the word spatchcock, it just means to butterfly the bird, to open it flat before roasting it.) There I was, holding the kitchen shears, rereading the directions off my iPad, and staring down at this whole chicken. Just know that I usually buy boneless, skinless, air chilled, All Natural chicken breasts…
My mom really knew how to cook a chicken. She had the whole process down from killing the bird and plucking it to roasting, frying, or boiling it. I have memories of going to the Loomis Egg Farm with her where we bought our eggs. Once their laying hens quit producing enough eggs, they sold them for next to nothing. Only thing is, you had to catch them yourself and wring their necks. I didn’t appreciate the humor at the time of my mom and her friend chasing down those chickens who chose not to go gentle into that good night. Then we would bring them home where she would pluck them, cut them up, and freeze them. Looking back, I’m fascinated by this process, as my mom grew up in the suburbs of L.A., not on a farm. But even city girls of the Greatest Generation had a skill set that almost seems unreal in a modern context.
There I was, holding our kitchen scissors that are NOTHING like the poultry shears in the picture and staring down at that bird. Backing out was not an option after we paid top dollar for this “young, air chilled” bird. I hacked my way down each side of the backbone to remove it, but I did NOT save those bones to use for stock as the recipe suggested. I’m happy to report, though, that the chicken was delicious and the skin was “crispy and varnished” as the recipe promised. However, I won’t be using that recipe again unless I invest in some of those poultry shears.
Welcome to the Slice of Life March Challenge! “Spatchcock” is now newly placed in my vocabulary, thank you. Your reflection that your city dwelling mother had these skills that are so far from anyone not on a farm these days is very telling of her generation. I’m curious what you will purchase next time – the whole bird or the breasts? 🙂
Thanks, Kristi. I imagine that I’ll still keep one or two of those boneless chicken breasts in the freezer because they are so handy. However, that chicken was so tasty that my husband did a little online research and found some Oxo poultry shears at Bed Bath & Beyond. I foresee more cooked chicken on our table!
I have deboned a whole chicken but have seen spatchcocking and want to try it. Apparently it tastes great and cooks faster. I love what you shared about your mom. Welcome to the challenge.
I was drawn to your picture. Such a great representation of family in the place where we often gather the most (and so clean and tidy!). This is my first SOL March Challenge as well, so I am glad to connect!
I am also glad we connected, Stephanie. I’m off to your blog to read your slice!
Don’t be nervous! I am sure after reading your first story that you have 30 more! You captured a lot of truth here- grief is like that, so unpredictable… that great generation showed us so much… and modern is a relative concept…
Thanks for the encouragement, Diane. Funny that I was so worried all day yesterday about what to write and then cutting that chicken gave me my story.
Thanks for sharing this story! Brought back memories of time spent as a kid with my Aunt! Happened I was there on butchering day for the Hens my Aunt had raised! Something I’ll never forget! 😊
I understand better than most what a lasting memory killing chickens makes for a young girl. Thank goodness for the HEB produce section, right?
First of all, I have always loved that term – spatchcock. It sounds so much more medieval than it really is! My mother passed away nearly five years ago, and I’m so shocked when a wave of grief catches me by surprise and at such random times. This was a lovely memory of your mom! p.s. Is that picture yours? It’s absolutely priceless!
Yes, that’s me in the foreground talking while the picture is being taken. Great socks, huh?
I really love this picture (spotless kitchen!) and slice intermixing your chicken project with memories of your mother. It’s so true about grief and how a memory will just hit you unexpectedly. I used to admire how my mother would cut up chickens and as a young girl would be *grossed* out by it. She didn’t actually chase them around and wring their necks though. Glad your chicken turned out tasty!
Thanks, Vanessa. Yes, my mom kept a very neat kitchen. We should have recognized that her mind was slipping away when her kitchen counter was covered in dirty dishes all the time. But it’s fun to look at old pictures of our “modern” appliances, isn’t it?
I HAD to stop by when I caught your title! I am so far from kitchen adept so it is always enjoyable to read of the escapades of those who are. Your imagery of your mom and friends catching those birds is great. Welcome to slicing! You’re going to love both the process and the community. 🙂
Thanks, Kim! I’m excited to join the Writing Teachers community, but nervous (in a good way, I think) about whether I have 31 stories to tell this month. Time will tell, right?