Chicken & 40 Cloves of Garlic

5-lb roasting chicken
Freshly ground black pepper
40 cloves garlic, unpeeled
Fresh herbs to taste
1 orange or lemon, cut in wedges
1 loaf French bread, sliced

Sprinkle the cavity of the chicken with pepper. Stuff the chicken with herbs and citrus wedges. Place the chicken in an oven-proof casserole and arrange the garlic cloves around the chicken. Bake at 400° until the chicken is tender, about 1-1/2 hours. Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Just before serving the chicken, toast the bread slices under a broiler until golden. Serve with the baked whole garlic cloves, which can be squeezed out of their peels and spread on the toast.

Suggestion:

• 1 tsp dried herbs can be substituted for the fresh herbs.