Recipe

Brine Chicken

1. First, we brine! Boil water, thyme, peppercorns and bay leaves, then add sugar and salt until fully dissolved. Leave to cool.
2. When cool, submerge whole chicken (minus wings) into brine. Leave overnight in fridge for 12 hours. After 12 hours, remove from brine and place on tray with cooling rack. Pat chicken skin dry and leave uncovered in fridge for 2 days, until skin is completely dry. Air circulation is key.

Make Jus

1. Take chicken wings and sear in pan with canola oil, until dark golden. When golden, add shallots, garlic and peppercorns, and cook until shallots and garlic are soft or caramelized. Strain off excess oil.
2. Add white wine and sherry to deglaze all roasted bits on bottom of pan. Reduce wine until nearly evaporated. Add demi-glace and bring to a boil. When it comes to a boil, add sprig of thyme and rosemary and turn heat off. Leave to infuse for 20 minutes.
3. Strain through fine strainer and finish with sherry vinegar. Set aside to reheat on roasting day.

Roast Chicken

1. Set oven to 350°F with fan (or 375°F without fan). Lightly rub chicken with canola oil, then carefully season with salt. Make sure to cover entire bird in even layer of salt. Be careful to only season skin. Place half of lemon into cavity.
2. Chop carrots in half, lengthwise, and chop onions into halves for trivet. Lay them flat on roasting tray, then place seasoned chicken on top with breast and legs facing upward (these veggies will roast up and be delicious as sides). Place in oven for 60 minutes.

Make Pea Purée

1. Bring 2-litre pot of water to a boil. Add peas and cook for 2 minutes, until soft. Strain and retain about 100 mL of water.
2. Add peas, water, salt and butter, and blend until smooth. If peas need extra sweetness, add sugar.

Make Cheesy Broccoli

1. Add milk, thyme, bay leaf, shallot, clove and peppercorns to pot. Bring to a boil and turn off. Leave for 10 minutes, then strain.
2. Steam or boil broccoli for 1 minute. It should still be nice and crunchy. Place in ovenproof tin. In separate pot, melt butter and add flour to make white roux. Cook on low for a couple of minutes, then slowly add infused milk in increments, whisking to ensure there are no lumps.
3. When smooth and back to a boil, add all remaining ingredients, except egg yolk. Mix until smooth. Check seasoning, then add egg yolk and pour over broccoli. Bake at 425°F until golden, or gratin under broiler.

Finish Chicken, Assemble Dinner and Serve

1. After 60 minutes, remove chicken from oven and baste with rendered oil and fat. Return to oven for another 30 minutes.
2. Remove from oven and check thickest part of breast has hit 165°F. When ready, remove from oven and rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Carve and serve with sides and jus.