the usual suspects

this week i'll be posting a series of my favorite recipes. things that are savory, delicious and will be a part of my recipe repertoire for the rest of my life..

installment one: spinach + roast chicken linguini ... a ferguson original :)

1/2 stick of butter
2 bags of chopped frozen spinach, thawed with most juices squeezed out
red chili flakes ... I never specify an amount, just use incredibly liberally
4-6 cloves garlic, chopped
2 onions, sliced in quarter inch rings (red or yellow)
1/2 cup white wine
4 chicken thighs (bone in, skin on)
1 lb package of linguini
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
salt + pepper

1. preheat oven to 400 degrees
2.melt butter in a large pan on medium
3. toss in onions and garlic ... until fragrant and slightly softened .. 3 minutes
4. add red chili flakes .. stir .. 1 min
5. add white wine .. increase heat to medium high .. reduce 2 minutes
6. season chicken with freshly cracked salt + pepper on both sides
7. add chicken to the pan and place in the oven
8. bake chicken and onion/garlic mixture in the oven for 40-45 minutes, periodically basting the chicken with pan juices
9. meanwhile, cook the linguini in boiling water and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water
9. once the chicken appears to be almost finished, achieving a crisp golden brown skin, remove the pan from the oven
10. remove the chicken from the pan, place in a separate baking pan with 1/2 cup of chicken broth (skin side up) and return to the oven at a reduced 200 degrees
11. meanwhile, heat the onion mixture over the oven on medium, add the spinach and salt to taste
12. add cooked linguini to the pan and toss (add reserved pasta water if you need more liquid to loosen)
13. remove pan from the stove and toss with parmesan cheese, and top with the roast chicken