HOW TO TRUSS A CHICKEN
To secure the filling for stuffed chickens like the pollo relleno from issue #165, truss the bird by sewing the cavity and tying the legs and wings. Here's how to do it.
- Place chicken breast side up with legs facing you. Thread 8" trussing needle with 24" of kitchen twine knotted at one end. Starting at top of cavity, push needle through edges of skin and sew stitches about ¼" apart toward tail. Tuck tail up and under sewn edge and finish sewing cavity closed; tie a knot and trim excess twine.
Brenda Weaver
- Place a 48" length of twine underneath and perpendicular to the legs. Pull ends of twine up and around each leg; cross twine in an "X" pattern over top of legs.
Brenda Weaver
- Twist twine at "X" and wrap ends under opposite legs to create a horizontal hourglass shape.
Brenda Weaver
- Pull ends of twine toward chicken's neck and under each wing. Flip chicken over and cross twine at the neck. Wrap twine around wings, tie a knot, and trim excess.
Brenda Weaver
- Flip chicken over, tuck the wing tips under, and roast.
