The Multi-Meal, Part 0

I enjoy cooking. While discussing this recently with a friend, the subject of cooking in my situation (i.e. bitter and alone), came up. What is a good way to cook for one? One way is something I like to call (and I'm coining the term now), the Multi-Meal. It's something that you make, but then instead of eating the same leftovers repeatedly until you're done (or sick of it), you can take the leftovers and turn them into several different things with ease. One of my all-time favorite Multi-Meals is Beer Can Chicken.

Because the beer evaporates through the chicken as it's cooking, the meat remains moist and tender (very unlikely to overcook, as opposed to many other chicken recipes), as well as becoming beer flavored.

All that is required is:
- One chicken
- One can of beer (can, not bottle)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive Oil

I chose Kilkenny because I like the taste (by itself and in the chicken), and also because it's one of the few beers I could find in Australia that came in a can.

Wash the outside and inside of the chicken (be sure to remove the gizzards as they can sometimes make the surrounding meat gray and unappetizing) and pat dry. Then rub with olive oil and rub in salt and pepper generously. Use your hands.

Begrudgingly drink 2/3 of the beer. Punch holes at the top of the can and insert upright into cavity of the chicken.


Put in 350F (175C) oven until internal temperature of thickest part of the breast reaches 180F (85C).

Pro-Tip: Never cook by the just prescribed times in recipes; you're going for done-ness, which varies with ovens and portions.


I also made some Potatoes Au Gratin (post for another time) and some steamed broccoli.

Pro-Tip: Easiest way to steam broccoli, covered casserole dish, 1/4 cup of water, salt, then microwave until bright green and tender, ~2min.

Not a bad meal for a single dude. Best part, since the Kilkenny came in a four pack, still beer for me!

Next installment of the Multi-Meal, "Best Chicken Salad Ev4r!!1!"