Another Chicken?!?

Some of the criteria for my sister's culinary endeavors are.... inexpensive, as healthy as you can imagine (little to no dairy fat, whole grains, lean meats, lots of veggies, etc), and enough to feed them dinner and hopefully have leftovers for lunch. Of course, there will be exceptions from time to time, so look out for the indulgences too. I thought of another recipe that would fit these criteria completely. It's actually one that we grew up eating. Our mom got it from a friend of hers who is Jewish and observed the Sabbath. It's a one pot meal that you can assemble the evening before. I assume traditionally it was cooked over night and served as a mid-day meal. Whole chickens are way cheaper than parts, this has whole grains, loads of veggies, and tastes amazing.

Here you go:

Wash 1/2 cup brown rice and 1/2 cup barley, then use them as the bottom layer in a roasting pan that has a lid. Scatter a big handful of green beans (fresh or frozen) over. Wash a roasting chicken, pat dry, then season with salt on the inside. Put it on top of the grains and beans, then add 3 or 4 peeled carrots, 3 or 4 potatoes (wash them), 4 whole eggs (in their shells) and another big handful of green beans. Season with salt and pepper, then slowly add 1 cup of water (try not to displace the grains). Pour a jar of spaghetti sauce over everything. Bake in a covered roaster at 325 for about 4 hours (or a little longer).

Remember the reddish roasted eggs? I think our older sister wasn't a huge fan of eggs, otherwise mom would have had to throw in a 5th so each of us could have one. This one may just make my family's menu next week. It would be so nice on a cool fall day.