Bursting with Mediterranean flavours, this is pure comfort food. All elements are prepared in the oven, so make sure you have two oven dishes that fit next to each other. The new potatoes can be replaced by cubed pumpkin, sweet potato or cubed celeriac root, which are all beautiful when roasted.
The Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet is a nutritional recommendation inspired by dietary patterns found in Greece, Southern Italy, and Spain and became popular in the 1990s. This diet emphasizes “abundant plant foods, fresh fruit as the typical daily dessert, olive oil as the principal source of fat, dairy products (principally cheese and yogurt), and fish and poultry consumed in low to moderate amounts, zero to four eggs consumed weekly, red meat consumed in low amounts, and wine consumed in low to moderate amounts”.
A recent study found that Mediterranean diets appear to be more effective than low-fat diets in inducing clinically relevant long-term changes in cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory markers. But what makes the Mediterranean diet the most attractive of all, is the pure honesty of the smells and flavours that inspire a true joy of eating well!
Garlic roast chicken with roast tomato and new potatoes
Ingredients
- 175 gr. new potatoes
- 5-6 cloves unpeeled garlic
- 1 chicken leg
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- Sprigs of thyme
- 1 tomato
- Rock salt and freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 190º C.
- Partially cook the new potatoes in the microwave for 4-5 minutes (or boil for about 15 minutes).
- Meanwhile, using the flat surface of a large knife (or anything else flat) slightly crush the unpeeled garlic to allow it to release its flavour. Place in an oven dish.
- Season the chicken leg and place on top of the garlic cloves.
- Place the new potatoes around the chicken, add the thyme and drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil. Toss the ingredients a little to make sure everything is lightly coated with oil.
- Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes, turning the potatoes halfway.
- Cut the tomato in half and place in an oven dish. Sprinkle with a little rock salt, freshly ground pepper and a tiny drizzle of olive oil and place in the oven next to the chicken for the final 10 minutes.
- Plate, serve and enjoy!