Roasted Chicken Legs with Potatoes

"December Potluck" the theme for this week at I Heart Cooking Clubs (IHCC). I've made one of Nigella Lawson's roasted duck legs recipe, but used chicken legs instead. And instead of thyme leaves, I've used fresh rosemary leaves from my garden pot. 

This is just a simple roast that do not require lots of ingredients, but the end result is just delicious. I've used chicken legs which I jointed. Using the technique from Diana Henry when I made one of her chicken recipes months ago, I rubbed the salt on the chicken skin to crisp up the skin during roasting. I've skipped the searing part on the stove. And I've used a mixture of chad potatoes and russet potatoes. Season with salt and pepper, scatter the rosemary and baked for about an hour until the chicken is cooked and the skin is golden brown and crispy. If duck legs is used, recipe instructs to roast it for about 2 hours.

Simple and yummy!

Roasted Duck Legs and Potatoes
(adapted from "Nigella Kitchen", Nigella Lawson)
2 duck legs (chicken legs)
2 baking potatoes or 1 pound other large white-skinned potatoes
few sprigs fresh thyme
salt and pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 400F. On the stove, heat a small roasting pan (Nigella uses a slightly oversized tarte tatin pan) and sear the duck legs, skin-side down, over medium heat until the skin turns golden and gives out some oil.
2. Turn the legs over, and take the pan off the heat while you cut the potatoes into 1-inch slices across, then cut each slice into 4. Arrange these potato pieces around the duck legs, then let a few sprigs of thyme fall over the duck and potatoes, and season with salt and pepper, before putting into the preheated oven.
3. Cook for 2 hours, occasionally turning the potatoes, for optimal outcome, which is tender duck legs and crispy potatoes, though both will be ready to eat after 1-/2 hours.

(I've skipped the searing of the chicken legs, simply rubbed the skin with salt and roast as per recipe).

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I'm linking this post to I Heart Cooking Clubs (IHCC), theme for this week "December Potluck"

and :

Cook-Your-Books #19 @ kitchen flavours

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I would like to wish everyone

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!

(I am on a short blogging break, see you when I get back!)