Date Syrup (Silan) and Mustard Chicken with Root Vegetables with homemade date syrup (silan)

👨‍🍳 Method

For the homemade date syrup (silan) ✓ Homemade · or skip – back to store-bought

1. 1
   Put the dates and water in a pot and bring to a boil.

   StovePot
2. 2
   Cook over low heat 5 minutes and mash the dates with a wooden spoon.

   Stove
3. 3
   Line a sieve with thin cloth and set it over a bowl. Pour in the mixture, press the dates with a spoon, gather the edges of the cloth and squeeze well.

   ColanderCheeseclothBowl
4. 4
   Return the liquid to the pot and reduce over low heat about half an hour, until to a thick syrup.

   StovePot
5. 5
   Let the date syrup cool.

   Jar

For the Roast Chicken

1. 6
   Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Mix the oil, garlic, honey, mustard, soy sauce, salt and black pepper and rub the mixture into the chicken.

   💡Dry the chicken before seasoning so the mixture clings to the skin; a longer marinade gives deeper color and flavor.
2. 7
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F).

   Oven

   💡Put things in the oven only once it's reached temperature, after the heating light has gone off: an oven that hasn't reached temperature changes baking times, and the bake burns outside or stays underbaked.
3. 8
   Scatter the onion over the bottom of the pan.

   Baking pan
4. 9
   Toss the sweet potatoes and carrot in the rest of the mixture and arrange in the pan.

   Baking pan
5. 10
   Place the chicken on top, skin side up.
6. 11
   Arrange the rosemary on the chicken.
7. 12
   Bake tightly covered with foil 30 minutes, until the chicken starts to cook.

   OvenAluminum foilBaking pan

   💡Bake covered so the chicken steams and stays juicy, then finish uncovered: only then does the skin brown and caramelize.

   💡Check by the cue (until…), not just the clock: every oven bakes a little differently.
8. 13
   Bake uncovered 20 minutes, until the chicken turns golden.

   OvenBaking pan