GIVE YOUR CHICK A BEER!

I overheard construction workers talking about it the other day and just ignored it, brushing off their fowl comments as quickly as I passed the scaffolding they were perched on high above the city. But they were right; chicks are better after a few beers! This fourth of July, while our guests chickened out (a lightening storm decended upon us), we bucked up and prepared Beer Can Chicken (from our favorite magazine, Cooks Illustrated). A drunk chick might look a little strange but it's soft, moist and delicious!

THE CHICKEN AND THE HARE:

Head to your grocery store and look for regular chickens under 4 pounds. Purchase cans of beer (nothing fancy...no glass). We pour out one cup of the beer, cut off the top with a can opener and add bay leaves, peppercorn and garlic. Shove the can up the open hole of the chicken, place on indirect heat (charcoal is best) for 45 minutes to an hour. Apply rub after 30 minutes.

*prepare rub prior to bbq'ing: 1tbs brown sugar, 1tbs cayenne pepper and 1 tsp mixed up salt.

TIME TO COMPLETE TASK: 1 1/2 hours

COST: Two Chicks $12 case of cheap beer $6.99

STRESS LEVEL: Chicken and Beer for dinner: LOW