Skip to content

Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Yardbird with Barley and Hops Enema

Ingredients

1 Whole Chicken, about 4 pounds

1/2 cup No- Stick Grilling Marinade for Poultry (page xxx)

1 Tbl Poultry Seasoning (page xxx)

1/2 Tbl Black Pepper, freshly ground

1 12-ounce can of beer

Instructions

Remove and discard the neck and giblets and any excess pockets of fat from the chicken. Rinse and dry the chicken.

Rub the no-stick marinade over the chicken and inside the cavity. Marinate one hour at room temperature. Just before cooking, sprinkle the cavity and skin with the poultry seasoning and black pepper.

Prepare the grill. Open the can of beer and place the chicken over the beer so that the beer can sits upright and fills the cavity of the chicken. Transfer the chicken to the grill and place over indirect medium heat. Push the bird down far enough on the can so that the legs give support to keep the chicken from falling over. Cook until an internal temperature of 170 degrees is reached or the juices run clear, approximately1 1/2 hours.

Carefully remove the chicken from the grill. Using a hot pad, pull the beer can from the center of the chicken and discard. Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Yield: 4-6 servings

Several companies manufacture a device that holds the beercan upright as the chicken fits around it.

Recent Recipes

Potato Gratin

Potatoes are the one vegetable I could never give up. Fried, roasted, mashed, or scalloped—doesn’t matter, they’re always on the table in one form or another. This gratin is my favorite way to make them feel a little more special. It’s rich, creamy, and just decadent enough to make it feel like you’re putting in some extra effort. There’s a good bit of cheese in this recipe, but that’s exactly how it should be. The combination of sharp white Cheddar, gruyere, and Parmesan gives it the perfect balance of nuttiness, creaminess, and tang. And using Yukon gold potatoes instead of russets makes a big difference. They have just the right amount of starch to get creamy without getting mushy. This dish is a showstopper on the holiday table, but I’d eat it on a random Tuesday without hesitation.

Read more

Orange Cranberry Muffins

These muffins are like Christmas morning in a bite—bright, citrusy orange paired with tart, bursting cranberries. The combination feels like something you'd find in a festive basket dropped off by a thoughtful neighbor. Perfect for Christmas gift giving or to have on hand for guests throughout the holiday.

Read more

Chocolate Christmas Cheesecake

Chef Linda Roderick has been by my side through these cookbooks for over two decades, and there’s no one I’d rather have guiding me through a cheesecake recipe. She’s a master of the craft—steady, exacting, and always aiming for perfection. This rich, decadent chocolate cheesecake is no exception. It's all about balance. The deep, smooth chocolate filling meets a crisp, slightly salty crust for a perfect bite every time. Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing—otherwise, you’ll end up with lumps. And when you melt the chocolate, give it time to cool slightly before mixing it into the batter, so you don’t end up with curdled filling. It’s worth the patience, every time. A few techniques can elevate this recipe to another level: chilling the dough overnight for a richer flavor, using a water bath to ensure an ultra-smooth texture, and letting the cheesecake rest for at least 24 hours before serving for the best flavor.

Read more