A popular method of cooking chicken in recent years both in Barbeque contest as well as backyard barbeques is the beer-can chicken. Cooking a beer-can chicken couldn't be any easier but the results are worthwhile. This is a technique that delivers a moist, succulent chicken and flavorful chicken. It's also a bit of a showstopper and makes a lively conversation starter as well. Is it chicken in a beer can? Close but try beer can in a chicken. The beer is used to both keep the bird flavorful and moist, and the cook happy. By the time the bird is ready to eat, the chef will not be the only one with a beer belly!
Is it safe to eat chicken that has been in contact with the ink from a beer can? When the FDA was asked this question they were not sure because they have only tested the cans as a container and not as a cooking utensil. However the ink on the cans is applied at a temperature in excess of 500 degrees while the can never get hotter then 215 degrees during the cooking process. The conclusion by most is that there is nothing harmful in using the cans.
For those cooks who still worry about possible contamination, vertical stainless steel chicken roasters are available. These roasters have their own reservoir for beer, water or your choice of liquid.
1 whole chicken
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons of your favorite dry spice rub
1 can beer
Preparing the chicken
Remove and discard neck and giblets from chicken. Rinse chicken inside and out, and pat dry with paper towels. Rub or brush the chicken lightly with oil then season inside and out with salt, pepper and dry rub.
Open a can of beer and drink half. Wait 5 minutes then drink the other half and open a second can for the chicken. Drink half of the second beer and reserve remainder of beer for the bird. Using a "church key"-style can opener, pop a few more holes in the top of the can so that the moisture will be able to escape.
With the can on a steady surface, lower the chicken onto the can. It should stand on it's own using the legs and can as a tri-pod. Refrigerate the bird while you get your grill or smoker setup.
Preparing the grill
Whether you intend to grill or smoke the bird, the goal is indirect heat. No coals or burner directly under the chicken. Place a drip pan under where you intend the bird to sit. If you are grilling, turn the burners to medium-high on one side of your grill and place the bird on the other side.
Cooking the chicken
Continue to cook the chicken over medium-high with the grill cover on for approximately 1 1/4 ? 1 1/2 hours. The chicken will be done when the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F in the breast area and 180 degrees F in the thigh. Remove from grill with tongs and move to cutting board. Be careful not to spill the beer when removing the can. Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before carving. Toss the beer can out along with the carcass.
Scott Schirkofsky is the chef and owner of At Home Gourmet. You can find more recipes, cooking tips, food and beverage articles on his highly recommended website: http://www.athomegourmet.com and http://www.foodandbeveragenetwork.com
Bread machines-wonderful inventions that they are-don't think very well. You... Read More
One of the slickest tricks we know is baking bread... Read More
In any number of cookbooks and recipes you will find... Read More
A lot of the times we mean to get in... Read More
A popular method of cooking chicken in recent years both... Read More
Flowers as a Cake Decoration, unique and easy to place... Read More
As one of the oldest children in a family of... Read More
Food poisoning is related to unsafe food, a dirty kitchen,... Read More
New and exciting varieties of peppercorns are becoming available to... Read More
There's two basic theories on grilling corn. Some people prefer... Read More
Storing foods can present its own set of problems. And... Read More
For that next picnic or family outing, consider making sandwich... Read More
Clarified butter is a delightfully rich concentrated butter that can... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
For any of the many reasons people choose to eat... Read More
Our kid birthday cake idea collection makes cake decorating fun... Read More
"Thicken", or "Thickening" is a very common technique used in... Read More
Summer is finally here and for a lot of us... Read More
Pancakes are easy and almost foolproof. But there are some... Read More
Prevention of food poisoning starts with your trip to the... Read More
The best way to decide what you need in your... Read More
When buying apples, look for those that are firm and... Read More
Some of the best meals I've ever eaten were made... Read More
Muffins are a mainstay around our house. They are as... Read More
Cake pans?.the secret behind every successful cake. My husband tells... Read More
Lobster, once the food of poor farmers, is now considered... Read More
Summertime--and the living is easy! But the kitchen is hot!!... Read More
As a busy working mother, I'm short on time, especially... Read More
There's a lot of bread in our freezer. In our... Read More
If your cookies are too tough . . . You... Read More
Okay, you've either gotten married or are planning to pretty... Read More
Seasoning is the most important thing you can do to... Read More
When buying apricots, always look for those that are firm,... Read More
Prevention of food poisoning starts with your trip to the... Read More
Muffins are a mainstay around our house. They are as... Read More
The best way to decide what you need in your... Read More
Digital kitchen timers come in many shapes and sizes. Timers... Read More
Pyrex mixing bowls typically come in sets of 3 with... Read More
Non-stick woks do not require seasoning, and come with simple... Read More
Some of the best meals I've ever eaten were made... Read More
Lobster has always be one of those extravagant meals which... Read More
Ever been to a barbecue party where the 'chef' placed... Read More
The whisk. A true versatile cooking utensil. Whisks come in... Read More
Cobblers and dowdies, crisps and crumbles, buckles and betties-what are... Read More
Gluten is a substance made up of the proteins found... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
The most difficult task of a picnic is remembering everything.... Read More
Types of BacteriaBacteria are all around us, in the air,... Read More
Montana has a great program for restaurant employees. Each preparer... Read More
There's two basic theories on grilling corn. Some people prefer... Read More
There are usually 2 ways of deep frying in Chinese... Read More
Hiking, camping, and boating are good activities for active people... Read More
Soups and sauces can be thickened in a variety of... Read More
We really like fresh bread while we're camping. There is... Read More
For that next picnic or family outing, consider making sandwich... Read More
The Versatile Quick BreadIt's no wonder quick breads are so... Read More
Pancakes are easy and almost foolproof. But there are some... Read More
What is Food Poisoning?Food poisoning results when you eat food... Read More
Seasoning is the most important thing you can do to... Read More
Garlic, there's nothing like the smell of garlic. It's great... Read More
The Cooker-rail....This is a novel way of increasing the drying... Read More
Ahhh?the noble crescent roll. In some forms it has its... Read More
Do you realize the many ways that bacteria can contaminate... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
Most grocery stores carry cans of whipping cream ready to... Read More
It depends. The best way to tell if the dough... Read More
Cooking Tips |