Today is French Mother’s Day and they are offering free rosebuds to mothers at a number of the businesses that are open today. Interestingly, on this Sunday, the jewelry shop is open, as are the chocolate and flower shops. No fools, they.
In West Africa, when peas are harvested, you will see groups of women on the side of the road shelling peas. The peas are then placed in plastic baggies and sold to passing cars. I always loved this season; there is nothing like fresh peas, especially when prepared the traditional French way.
Rosemary Roasted Chicken and Fresh Peas with Bacon
2 chicken legs
Salt and pepper
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tbsp butter
10-12 spring onion bulbs, large ones halved
1/2 cup diced bacon
3 young carrots, diced
3-4 cups shelled fresh peas
1/4 head napa cabbage, sliced
1 tsp sugar
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup water
Season the chicken legs with salt and pepper, then set aside. Melt the 2 tbsp butter in a microwave. Add the rosemary and allow to cool. Brush the chicken on both sides with the butter. Place on a baking pan with a rack, skin side down, and roast in a 425 F oven for 25 minutes. Turn, baste with more butter and continue to roast for 15 minutes.
Saute the onions in the 1 tbsp butter for about a minute, then add the diced bacon and continue to cook until the bacon is browned. Add the carrots, peas, cabbage, sugar, salt, pepper and cook stirring for 2 minutes. Add the water, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the cover, stir and continue to cook for another 10 minutes.
Wine suggestion: Chitry
Cooking in Sens 
Everyone is producing wonderfully cooked roast chickens today – ours won’t look this nice. sounds gorgeous, Rosemary – I like your style 😀
Thank you Frugal.
Excellent – I got my first fresh peas of the season, this morning, from Martin the farmer. Sadly I missed the broad beans but he’s going to save me some next week 😉
I can’t wait to see what’s in the market tomorrow!
I love peas – my other half won’t touch them. We have nights where he cooks things he likes and I do the same. Will give this a try on one of those evenings. Nice.
I don’t like those sweet sugar peas. I don’t know if they are GM or just grow like that but I prefer the regular, savory variety. Good luck with the hubby 🙂
Good-looking plate of food, that.
Thank you kale.
Oh wow. Look at how crispy you got the skin on that chicken! I just . . . drooled. On my desk. Thankfully you can’t see that!
I love your plates and flatware too. Is it a black patina? Very cool.
I got the black place setting in Paris and have forgotten the type of special metal used but will be going back to see what else they have. Expensive shop but one of a kind items.
They look great. One of a kind things are always worth it!
Hello,
I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award: http://bookscupcakescats.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/1-2-3-sunshine-award-time/
Thank you Carine.
You’re very welcome. I love reading your blog 🙂
There just isn’t much better than a rosemary roasted chicken in my book. Your whole plate looks delish!
Thanks bits.
You just can’t beat that veggie combo.
Ah, peas. I think I love them best of all the veg. I love the image of the women on the side of the road with their bags of peas.
You should have seen their aggressive assault on the cars stopped at the lights 🙂
I’m going to feature this in my blog’s daily foodporn list called “Daily Foodporn For Your Inspiration”. Check it out. You might get to find a new cooking and food blogs too. Don’t worry, I will definitely link back here.
Thank you Orang