So all over the leg is a soft white almost toothpaste like layer of fat and skin. So I get out a cast iron skillet and start frying up some pommes sarladaise which is just French for duck fat fried diced potatoes and onions. The end result was the most amazing hash brown experience ever. The fat immediately liquified in the skillet and the potatoes just soaked up all that fatty goodness and crisped up in a way that vegetable oil, crisco, or any other fat simply can’t. Duckfat is like cooking with lard on steroids. The potatoes were locally grown yukon golds, and the lettuce is also locally grown arugula from Coulton’s organics.

Here’s my finished plate. I don’t do well with presentation. I garnished with locally grown parsley and beets. ( I think beets are some of the most underrated seasonal and local foods available.) The beets are also fried in you guessed it, duck fat.

The Costco chicken is a bountiful boon of beautiful meat. Weighing in around 5 pounds, this sucker costs like $5. That’s cheaper (usually) than a whole roaster of equivalent size. And it’s cooked! Now, I’m not telling you that this Costco variety is better tasting than a chicken you prepare yourself.It’s just easier, and rather tasty to boot. In the evening, after a long day of work, you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen waiting for a meal. You want to stop by Costco, get a chicken that’ll last for days, and skip right to the side dishes.

Okay, so I’m a fan of chicken. Nine times of of ten, it’s my meat of choice. Healthy-ish, versatile, and easier to put on a spit than a cow. And when you’ve used up that carcass of tasty meat, you can use what’s left for stock. Anyway, you’ve got that Costco chicken, what to do with it? You’re welcome to go at it barbarian-style, but let me suggest some other uses:

• Chicken tacos. Get out the tortilla shells (I prefer soft, corn or flour), dice some onions, lettuce, cheese, some taco sauce or salsa, and sour cream. With the Costco chicken on your side, we’re talking 10 minutes of prep til ready to chow. Mmmm!

• with rice. Make some rice, using any method or variety you wish. I heart my Zojirushi rice maker, which produces perfect rice, but whatever floats your boat. Zest it up with a little butter, hot sauce, garlic, pepper, maybe even a little shredded cheese. Whatever floats your boat.

• pita pizza. Use pocketless pitas. Lay one out, cover with bbq sauce. Top with the chicken, sliced onions, slice green pepper, and cover with shredded cheddar cheese. Pop into a 450 degree oven for like 10 minutes. Done!

• with salad. Add it to a tossed salad. Complement with other toppings.

• chicken salad. Use some of the chicken to make a chicken salad, or sandwiches or whatever. Just add some mayo, chopped celery, chopped onion, some garlic powder, salt, pepper and also a bit of ranch dressing.

Those are just some ideas. The main idea is that with the time requirement for the “main” ingredient taken care of, whipping up a tasty meal at home isn’t a huge time investment. Keeps you away from the “I have no time, I’ll just pick up fast food” trap.

Enjoy!