BAROSSA CHICKEN

Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 30 mins Serves 4

1.5kg whole organic chicken 1 Tbsp whole cumin seeds

4 cloves garlic, crushed

2 tsp sea-salt flakes

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper 100ml extra virgin olive oil

1 red onion, sliced into rings, then slices separated and soaked in cold water

DRESSING

750ml bottle dry white wine 2 handfuls raisins or sultanas 2 fresh bay leaves

2 cloves garlic, finely grated 100g whole green olives, bruised with back of knife to crack, seeds removed 100g blanched almonds, scorched

in dry frying pan to blacken

2 whole oranges, sliced into

thin rounds, then diced

10 sprigs fresh oregano, leaves picked 100ml extra virgin olive oil Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground

black pepper, to season

STEP 1 Preheat barbecue on high. Butterfly chicken, using a sharp knife or poultry shears, by cutting down each side of the chicken backbone to remove. Open it and turn breast side up and press down firmly. Cut a few slashes into the flesh of the breasts and legs. STEP 2 Pound cumin in a mortar and pestle. Add garlic, salt and pepper and pound to form a paste. Stir in oil. Rub all over chicken.

STEP 3 To make dressing, combine wine, raisins and bay leaves in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer

over medium heat. Cook until wine reduces by two-thirds. Set aside.

STEP 4 Put garlic in a wide bowl. Pour in wine reduction. Add olives, almonds, oranges and oregano. Drizzle with oil. Stir to combine, then season. Set aside.

STEP 5 Put chicken on barbecue grill, skin-side down, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 15 minutes. Turn and cook for a further 10 minutes with barbecue lid closed.

STEP 6 Spoon warm dressing over chicken in baking tray. Set aside for 5 minutes to allow flavours to infuse.

STEP 7 Transfer chicken to a serving platter, along with dressing from the bowl. Drain onion rings, pat dry then scatter over hot chicken. Serve.

NOTE If preferred, use a frying pan to sear chicken for 15 minutes, turning once. Then cook in a 180°C fan-forced (200°C conventional) oven for 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.