Happy Roast Poussin Salad

I've been trying to make yummy chicken salad all season. Thighs and breasts have been grilled and fried, some marinaded and some sauced up at the last. Different leaves tossed in different dressings with different herbs, spices and salad things. I've never got it smack- perfect. 

Until today, I think. Because simplicity is key. And I think that maybe a chicken is happier when its whole than when its been hacked apart. What is it that they always say on free- range and organic advertising? A happy chicken is a tasty chicken. 

Roast Poussin salad

A very lovely lunch for two- Double up and use a grown- up poussin if you like

• 1 poussin ( baby chicky) Free range now for sale at Fruit and Veg City at reasonable prices
• 15ml olive oil, or erm.. truffle oil. (I'll explain later) 
• small bunch rosemary
• few leaves sage
• salt and pepper
• 6- 8 thin slices serrano or parma ham
• handful beetroot shoots
• few shavings proper parmesan cheese
• 30g or so fresh, soft basil leaves
• handful of butter lettuce (optional) 
• Maldon salt
• Balsamic vinegar

1. So I only remembered that the olive oil was finished just as I started lunch. So instead of serving a dry chicky; I did something very luxurious and quite naughty. I rubbed the chicken all over with truffle oil. I know, I'm so bad ass. Worth it though. 
2. So, rub the chicken all over with some kind of yummy oil, season it well and poke the herbs inside the cavity and anywhere else they'll squeeze in.Season. Roast at 180C for half an hour. 

1. Now tear the chicken apart, into breasts thighs, and wings. Leave in roasting tray and place the thin slices of meat on top. Roast for another 10- 15 minutes until the ham is crispy and the chicken in . Set aside to cool for about 10 minutes, then pick the meat off the bones. 
2. Combine with the remaining ingredients and drizzle with balsamic vinegar to serve. 

This is the original salad- the yummy brown meat and serrano ham had all been picked off by the time it came to taking the top picture. But it goes to show that the serrano ham is not the key ingredient- happy chicken is!