One-pot roast guinea fowl

Contains pork – recipe is for non-Muslims only
A delicious alternative to roast chicken that’s just the right size for two. Use any seasonal root veg you like

Prep:20 mins
Cook:1 hrs 40 mins

Serves 2
Easy

Nutrition per serving

kcal 977
fat 47g
saturates 18g
carbs 40g
sugars 18g
fibre 5g
protein 92g
salt 2.39g

Ingredients

1 onion, cut into wedges, through the root
2 carrots, quartered lengthways
1 large potato, cut into bite-size chunks
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small guinea fowl (around 1kg/2lb 4oz)
1 tbsp butter at room temperature, plus 2 tsp for the gravy
4 smoked streaky bacon rashers
6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
few thyme sprigs
300ml chicken stock
100ml white wine
2 tsp plain flour
1 tbsp redcurrant jelly

Tip

Quick dessert: Hot honey pears
Melt 1 tbsp butter in a non-stick frying pan. Add 2 cored, thickly sliced pears. Pan-fry until golden, turning pears carefully. Add the scraped-out seeds from ¼ vanilla pod and 1 tbsp clear honey. Stir to combine, then place in bowls and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, topped with a handful of toasted flaked almonds.

Method

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Toss the vegetables with the oil and some seasoning in a large flameproof roasting tin. Place the bird on top of the veg, smear with 1 tbsp butter and lay the rashers in a row over the breast. Season generously, then roast for 40 mins.
Remove from the oven and give the veg a stir while adding the garlic and thyme. Pour 200ml stock and the wine over the veg and return to oven to roast for another 40 mins until the bird is cooked through and the juices run clear.
Remove the bird, place on a serving plate, cover with foil to keep warm and leave to rest. Turn the oven up to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and roast the veg for a further 15 mins until tender.
Remove the veg with a slotted spoon and transfer to the serving plate with the bird. Mix 2 tsp butter and flour in a small bowl to form a smooth paste. Place the roasting tin with all the cooking juices, plus any resting juices, on the hob. Whisk the paste and redcurrant jelly into the juices until dissolved, then add the remaining stock and extra seasoning, if you like. Bubble for a few mins until the sauce thickens. Slice and serve the guinea fowl, crisp bacon and the veg with the sauce on the side.