Roast Chicken With Rice and Fruit Stuffing

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F
• Toast the cashews lightly in the oven for 5 minutes
• Heat 4 tablespoons of oil in a saute pan
• Add the onion and the celery
• Cook over low heat for 5 minutes, or until tender
• Add the rice, saute over medium heat for 2 minutes
• Add the hot soup, orange juice, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil
• Cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes
• Add the apricots and raisins to the rice, stir gently with a fork
• Cover and cook for 5 more minutes, until the rice is nearly tender
• Stir in the cinnamon, lemon rind and cashews
• Taste for seasoning and correct if necessary
• Set aside to cool
• Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper on all sides and in the cavity as well
• Spoon enough of the stuffing into the chicken to fill it, packing lightly
• Keep the extra stuffing at room temperature
• Place the chicken in a roasting pan and roast in the oven for 1 hour
• When a fork stuck into the thickest part of the chicken causes the juices to run clear, the chicken is ready
• If the juices are still pink, add a few more minutes until you get the clear juices
• Let the bird rest for about 5-10 minutes
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet and saute the leftover stuffing until hot, about 3 minutes
• Serve the stuff chicken on a platter, with the sauteed stuffing on the side
• You can also serve the roasting juices in a sauceboat