Hi folks.
Today you can find me over at The Shiksa in the Kitchen. I am participating in her Passover Potluck so I would love you to  head on over to check out my 40 Clove Roast Chicken. Roast chicken is one of my fave things to make and eat. There is something so comforting about it. It brings back lots of memories of my father. Aside from my Lasagna I think Roast Chicken was his favourite thing for me to make. I did this one quite often. Sometimes I would switch it up and do it with sauce or do it on the BBQ. Whenever I make chicken I think of my Dad and smile. That's the greatest thing about food, the sense memory it evokes.
I'd like to thank Tori for inviting me to join the Passover Potluck. It was an honour and privilege to participate. For me it was also a growth experience. I am not Jewish so it was great learning more about the customs and traditions. I wish my food had that much history and culture behind it. If you do not know The Shiksa (are you living under a rock people?) you should get to know her. She is a class act. She is a Culinary Anthropologist. She takes you on a journey into the history and people behind the food she cooks. Every visit to her blog is a chance to learn something new. I love that.
There are lots of other participants in the Passover Potluck so feel free to poke around and get to know them all. Lots of talented bloggers took part. I encourage you to browse through them all and show them some love.
Whether you celebrated Easter or Passover, I hope you were surrounded by those you love and food you enjoy. After all that's what holidays are all about. Spending time with those you love and sharing your lives together. Those shared moments are what makes the life so special. Appreciate them and do not take anything for granted. Much love to everyone!
And we cannot end this post without inserting a little Lunatic humour. I was so happy to be asked by Tori to do this. Then the panic set in. As you all know my camera is beyond ridiculous. I have a very, very, very (I could go on all day, that's how very it is!) old Kodak Easyshare. While I love Kodak this camera is a dinosaur. And not in a good vintagey (what? It's a word!) kind of way. The settings are so limited it's practically impossible to lose the graininess in the photos. Plus I have not mastered my ninja camera skills yet. I am trying and improving but it's a process that is slow to say the least. So this post took 2 days of agonizing photography on my part. I tried everything to get the right shot. On the second day I finally had an epiphany about light and let's just say the snapping got out of control. And the family was starving as no one was allowed to touch the bird until the photo was perfect. Let me just add that it also took 2 birds to get it right. I tried a lemon version too which I'll blog about another time. Anyhoo (my sis's fave word), I had to get creative to get the shots I wanted so I'm going to show you the blog room while taking a photo. I think I moved every piece of furniture in here and the stacking and leaning was incredible. One wrong move and it would have been like dominoes I'm telling you. So enjoy the photo of chaos at the Lunatic's. This is to show those who don't blog what some of us go through to get a decent food shot. Natural light, artificial light, light, light, light. It's all about the light! And standing on chairs to get the right angle while trying not to fall off. Enjoy!
Toodles and smoochies! xx
Suzi
Oh girl I know what you are talking about with the stacking and leaning, I did buy those clips (white on rice mentioned at the festival) to hold the poster boards and it works great. If you lay the clips down flat then clip to the board at the bottom they will hold the board. Going over to check out your post, not sure I have been to th shiksa blog yet. BTW, I hope that you used already peeled garlic. LOL.
Kim Bee
I have to go buy those clips this week. I thought we had some but hubs looked around today and no luck. So off to home depot I go. I haven't been in since he got laid off. On purpose. Home renos are my weakness. I'll want to start redoing the whole house again.
She rocks, you'll love Tori. And oddly no I did not use peeled. I did them all myself. Crazy I know. But I am a lunatic after all.
Chef Dennis
KIm
I love the new look of your blog and your images are fantastic!!
Dennis
Kim Bee
Aw thanks mister. I appreciate it.
Janet@FCTC
Twin, this is one of my favorite ways to eat chicken. And the roasted veggies look fantastic too! As do your photos. You need to give yourself more credit 🙂
Kim Bee
Thanks twin. I love roast chicken. I do it in tinfoil a lot too. That way I can go to the barn and come home to a lovely dinner. I am really trying to tackle the photo issue. It's a challenge but I am determined. Lol! And thank you for that, you made me smile.
Christine
This looks wonderful. Perfect meal.
Kim Bee
Thanks Christine.
Ann
Kim this looks incredible! The chicken looks terrific and the PHOTOS are amazing! Congratulations - you rock!
Kim Bee
Thanks so much my dear. I am really happy with the photos. I'm learning. Lol!
Anna @ hiddenponies
Haha, I LOVE the photo set up, definitely looks familiar 🙂 I have to lock my kids and cat up at times! It was worth it - gorgeous job!
Kim Bee
Omg the cats kill me. They always want to see what I'm doing and the hair is so annoying. I've taken to locking them out of the room 95% of the time. Thanks so much. I am so happy I am finally starting to get the light thing. Long way to go but getting there.
Lisa @ Snappy Gourmet
Your photos (and the chicken) look great! Would have never guessed you were using an EasyShare. What kind of light is that?
Kim Bee
Thanks so much, you're so sweet. These photos are not typical for me. Usually they stink. My hubs made me low ego lights. I can try to find the link for you if you like. Pop me an email and I'll search for it. Super easy and cheap.
Anita at Hungry Couple
Ha, I'm all too familiar with the odd set up and machinations just to get a decent shot 🙂 Not to mention that half my photos end up with a doggie nose in them 🙂 And now I see what that crackled white surface is because I've seen it in your photos before and liked it. I think your pictures are great and the chicken looks terrific.
Kim Bee
I hear ya. Between the 3 cats and the puppy I'm either tripping over someone or giving a shoo to whoever needs it. Ah the dresser I did years ago. I need to redo it again but we threw it in the blog room cuz I keep all my little props in it. Works great. But usually it's under the window running along it not sticking out like that. Lol. Thanks so much.
Liz
Kim, these are your best photos ever!!! Just perfectly styled...and crisp! You rock, girl friend. Can you tell what kind of clips are recommended??? Off to read your guest post....I can't keep up with you 😉
Kim Bee
Aw thanks Mama Liz. I had so much fun. They are just those plastic hand grip things. I'm getting some Friday so I'll send you the size and proper name and a photo after I pick them up. I can't keep up with myself some days. Lol!
Jen at The Three Little Piglets
The things we'll do for a good shot!!
Kim Bee
Lol I know right.
Kiri W.
Oh WOW. There can never be too much garlic in my life, this sounds heavenly!
Kim Bee
Me either. I love the stuff. SO good!
Marsha @ The Harried Cook
The pictures are beautiful! Well worth all the stacking of furniture... LOVE the recipe too! To be honest, when I saw the title I wasn't sure if it was cloves of garlic or regular cloves (40 cloves sounds like a lot for one chicken!) and I am so glad it turned out to be cloves of garlic 🙂 🙂
Kim Bee
I never thought of that Marsha. I'll have to edit it so people are not confused. I hate cloves so never any danger of too many cloves. Lol. My hubby gets nervous when I stack furni, I got caught on top of two precarious chairs last year. In front of a picture window. Could have ended badly. I need a step stool asap.
Debra Kapellakis
Mouthwatering photo's and I signed up for the emails from The Shiksa. It is a good thing that you are mixing and matching people and their cultures.
Kim Bee
Thanks so much. She is amazing. You will love her. I am her biggest fan, she is such a wonderful person.
movita beaucoup
One day, I will win the lotto, and I will buy you the camera of your dreams. Alternatively, I will buy the camera of MY dreams, and give you my old one.
That is all.
xox
Kim Bee
I love you.
And hope you buy a ticket today.
That is all.
xx
Emily @ Life on Food
Oh please add a bit more garlic. This looks delicious. Can I come over for dinner?
Kim Bee
Rofl, I literally could not add another piece or it would have spilled out. It is so good. You are welcome any time.
Tiffany
40 cloves! Sounds WONDERFUL to me! I can't get enough garlic... I even eat it raw for health reasons 😀
Kim Bee
I know right, it's a classic though. I just wish I had a clay pot to make it in. Garlic is so good. It hurts my tummy a bit but I muddle through.
Kim @ Treats & Trinkets
Ohmigoodness, yumm.
I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. See it here: http://treatstrinkets.blogspot.com/2012/04/chocolate-whoopie-pies-and-surprise.html
Kim Bee
Thanks so much Kim. I think Kims rule. I left you a note on your blog. xx
Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine)
I totally know what you mean with the picture woes! I just bought a nice camera and still I'm having issues. It just takes practice I guess!
Kim Bee
I think it's a long and painful process to learn food photography. I keep trying though.
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time
Ah, the things that our families have to go through for the name of blogging, huh. It was well worth it though. Your photos, and chicken, are gorgeous. You want jealousy? I spent a day with Adam and Cheryl from Picture-Perfect Meals not too long ago. I learned a lot from watching the food styling and photography dance they do together as well as from my endless stream of questions to both. They'd be proud of the job you've done, my friend.
Kim Bee
I am so jealous, you have no idea. I adore those two. That was such a compliment, I am touched. I aim to keep getting better. It will take time and tons of practice but I have faith it's possible.
Valerie @ From Valerie's Kitchen
Great photos Kim! I really need to work on a set up like this. I tend to just throw the plate on the kitchen table and snap away with whatever natural light is available at the time. You've inspired me 🙂
Kim Bee
Aw thanks. I have a small extra bedroom we turned into my blog room so I can have a dedicated space. The downside is the light in here is not perfect so I may need to try other rooms in the house. But when using lights it's a great setup. I keep all the props in here so everything is easy access. It still needs tweaking but I am determined to make it really functional. It's a tiny room though. Barely room to move around.