BBQ Beer Can Chicken

Starting at the dawn of the barbecue, the BBQ Manual traces the origins of this popular worldwide cooking method right through to the present day. It's packed with 100 mouth-watering recipes; some traditional, many contemporary, including the infamous beer-can chicken - the time-honoured way to roast a whole chicken on a back garden barbecue. 

BBQ Beer Can Chicken

 

You need:

1.5–2kg (3½–4lb) whole chicken 1 tall can of lager or beer
4 tablespoons general meat rub (see recipe below)
50g (2oz) melted salted butter

 

To do:

1. Open the can of beer and pour out half the contents. Make two additional holes in the top of the beer can.
2. Remove the giblets and discard any fat inside the body and neck cavities.
3. Wash the chicken inside and out and pat dry with paper towels.
4. Sprinkle a tablespoon of the rub inside the body cavity and a tablespoon of the rub in the neck cavity.
5. Brush the outside of the chicken with half the melted butter.
6. Sprinkle the outside of the chicken with a tablespoon of the rub.
7. Stir another tablespoon of the rub into the remaining melted butter and set aside.
8. Holding the chicken upright, with the opening of the body cavity at the bottom, lower the chicken on to the beer can so it fits snugly inside. Tuck the wing tips behind the back.
9. Push the chicken down as far as it will go onto the can so it is stable.
10. Stand the chicken over a low heat, cover the grill and cook for 1½ hours until the chicken skin is crisp and dark brown.
11. Baste the chicken with the reserved butter-rub mixture every 30 minutes.
12. If the skin starts to brown too early cover the chicken loosely with foil.
13. Once cooked, place the chicken on a plate and let it rest.

After 10 minutes lift the chicken carefully off the beer can and carve.

General Meat Rub

for meat, poultry and fish

50g salt
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon powdered onion
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Mix all of the ingredients together and store in a glass jar and use as required.

Haynes

Pre-holiday car check-list

Breaking down is always a nuisance, but on holiday it can be a nightmare. Think about it: you miss the ferry and arrive late at your destination, tired and hungry. Your children get fed up and fractious, and paying for the repairs uses up all your holiday money. Worse still, you may miss your holiday altogether and see nothing more exciting than the back of a breakdown truck.

Let's face it, if you usually cover 100 miles a week cruising around town, then expecting your car to cope with a mammoth 2,000-mile drive that may well include a several hours crawling along a motorway could  just be asking for trouble.

At peak holiday periods, the UK's major breakdown organisations deal with more than 50,000 calls a day. Yet most faults are simple things - low engine oil or coolant levels, faulty jacks, snapped drivebelts and so on - all of which could easily be avoided by carrying out a vital pre-holiday check.

Don't let your car spoil your holiday: give it a clean bill of health with the assistance of Haynes - a name that is both instantly recognisable and trusted.

Haynes, the world-leading publisher of automotive repair manuals, is renowned for teaching millions of car owners how to carry out routine maintenance and repairs. The manuals provide authoritative and accurate step-by-step information for carrying out all kinds of jobs on the car, including simple tasks such as the 'pre-holiday check' below.

At least a week before taking your car on holiday, you should carry out a number of simple checks - some of which should be repeated just before you leave.

1. First, check that your car won't be due for an MOT test or a service whilst you are away. If necessary, get these done before you leave (or save some money and do the service yourself - it's easier than you think!).
2. Now, with the vehicle on level ground and a cold engine, check all the fluid levels - engine oil and coolant; brake, clutch and power steering reservoirs, plus the screen washer bottle (and automatic transmission fluid if appropriate).

3. Top up if necessary with the oil or fluid detailed in the car's handbook or the Haynes manual. If you check the fluid levels regularly and notice a significant drop in any of them, there may be a leak - get a garage to investigate.

4. Inspect the engine auxiliary drivebelt ('fanbelt') for cracks and separation of the belt plies. Get a new belt fitted (or do it yourself!) if necessary. Carrying a spare belt is a good idea.
5. Check the condition of the tyres carefully, including the one on the spare wheel. This could be a good opportunity to use the jack and ensure that it works properly (it may be missing altogether!).
6. Removing each of the wheels in turn will make it easier to inspect the tyres for cuts, abrasions, bulges or embedded nails or stones. Check the tread depth with an indicator gauge. The UK legal limit of 1.6mm is an absolute minimum and ideally you should replace any tyre with less than 3mm of tread before embarking on a lengthy holiday journey.
7. Check the wheels to see if they have been damaged by 'kerbing'. A particularly clean patch around the rim could indicate a missing wheel balancing weight. Using a tyre pressure gauge, check the inflation pressure of each tyre. A low reading could indicate a slow puncture, which you should get checked.

8. If you will be driving abroad at sustained high speeds, or loading the car to its maximum, the tyre pressures may need to be raised above normal - the Haynes manual gives details.
9. Now check the condition of the wiper blades. Clean them with a tissue dipped in screen wash concentrate. If they are cracked or show any signs of deterioration, or if they smear a perfectly clean screen, renew them.
10. Make sure all the external lights are functioning - including rear fog lights. You can check brake lights unaided by seeing if they illuminate a wall or garage door. Try the horn too. Finally, clean the windows, inside and out, and wipe the lamp lenses and door mirrors.
11. If you are going on holiday abroad, the Haynes Driving Abroad' book details the essential equipment - such as a warning triangle, spare bulbs and First Aid kit - that you must carry for particular countries. Put these in an easily accessible place in your vehicle - together with your Haynes manual.
12. Just before you leave, check the tyre pressures and fluid levels again.

Your pre-holiday health check is complete. Bon voyage!

Haynes

Top 10 pre-season caravan checks

With daylight hours increasing at a seeming exponential rate and spring flowers brightening every hedgerow, it's time to hitch up your caravan. What a shame if, after only a few miles you get a flat, then you arrive on site and find the corner steadies won't wind down, the handbrake's seized, the cooker won't light and...

Better by far to spend time making a few pre-season checks and undertake some preventative maintenance. Here are our top ten tips:

1. Check the tyre pressures and tread depth and inspect the tyres for signs of cracking or premature failure. Re-torque the wheel nuts.
   
2. Make sure the handbrake operates freely by pulling and releasing the lever several times. Lubricate and adjust it as necessary.
   
3. Couple up a gas cylinder and make sure all the appliances are working.
4. Check the battery. It should have been removed, and charged occasionally, while your caravan was laid up for the winter. Give it a charge now if necessary.
   
5. At the start of the season, run a sterilising solution – such as used for babies' feeding bottles – through the water pipes.
6. Connect the 12N and 12S plugs to your tow car and check that the external and internal caravan lights and 12-volt appliances are working. Regularly clean the plugs and spray them with a moisture repellent.
   
7. Clean your caravan inside and out regularly and apply a coat of polish to help protect the exterior.
8. If you have an awning, check that there are no parts missing and that it is not damaged.
9. Lubricate window and door hinges and check that curtains and window blinds operate smoothly.
10. Finally, arrange for the gas system and appliances, the mains electricity supply and the refrigerator to be serviced annually by an expert – who should provide an inspection certificate.

    These are just ten tips for maintaining your caravan and there are many more in the The Caravan Manual by John Wickersham. It contains comprehensive information on storage, towing accessories, preparing for winter lay-up and many other topics of interest to caravanners and prospective caravan owners.

Haynes

Haynes Election Jargon Buster

Take a look inside Haynes How to Run the Country Manual

Haynes

Commando Spirit Series

Survive The Yomp

 Commando Spirit gives you the chance to test yourself against some of the most formidable aspects of Commando training whilst raising life changing sums for those in need. You'll be supported all the way by serving and former Royal Marines as you discover a little of how it feels to be a Commando whilst taking part in a life changing challenge.

Former Royal Marines Commando PTI and Commando Spirit Ambassador Sean Lerwill provides fitness hints and tips for all those taking part in Commando Spirit's flagship event, Survive The Yomp, the legendary 30 mile hike across "Commando Country" in the Scottish Highlands. Everyone who signs up receives a copy of the Haynes Royal Marines Fitness Physical Training Manual as part of their Briefing Pack.

"We want to ensure that all our participants get the best advice to support their preparations and the Haynes Manual written by our Ambassador Sean Lerwill is absolutely superb" says Commando Spirit Founder and Director Sally-Anne Hunter.

"I am honoured to support Commando Spirit and Survive The Yomp, and as a former RM PTI I will be providing participants with fitness advice during their training. I am very proud of my Royal Marine roots and believe that anyone who interacts, trains or competes with the Royal Marines benefits enormously from the experience and takes away their very own little bit of Commando Spirit." says Sean Lerwill.

To find out more about the Commando Spirit Series and how you can sign up to take part visit www.commandospirit.com

Sean Lerwill is the author of several fitness and training manuals including the Haynes Royal Marines Fitness Manual

Haynes

Haynes Countdown to the 2015 Elelction

With only a few short weeks until what is going to be the closest fought election in recent memory, Haynes gives you a list of the key 2015 dates...

Take a look inside Haynes How to Run the Country

Haynes

Wheeler Dealers pick their top five restorations

With more than 100 episodes under their belt, the job of picking their favourite restorations was no easy task, but Mike Brewer and Edd China used their usual determination to hammer out their top five:

1.  Austin Mini

Mike says: "The Mini is definitely one of my all-time favourite classics, and is just such good fun to drive. If you want a small classic that'll be easy to work on, this is definitely the car for you; and there's a great owners' scene too, so you'll never be stuck for help or advice."

Edd says: "The Mini is the perfect car to learn about restoration skills. Not only is just about every part available but there's plenty of opportunity to undertake a few modifications and perhaps improve the performance, as it's a car that responds really well to tuning. The other great thing is that most parts are really cheap, so restoring one won't break the bank."

2.  Jaguar E-Type

Edd says: "The E-Type is an amazing car, and although I haven't always been sold on the looks I must admit that working on one changed my mind. They are complex, though, and the thought of carrying out major work can be daunting. But having had one in the workshop, I can really appreciate the engineering that went into them, and it's easy to see why so many people love them."

Mike says: "You're not going to be surprised to hear that I rate the E-Type as an absolute classic car icon. It's a gorgeous machine and I'm just as much a fan of them now as I was when I first saw one as a kid, so for me it was a car that we just had to have on Wheeler Dealers. If ever there was a car that needs expert advice before you take the plunge, this is it, and I was really happy to find the Series 3 car that we featured. My plan was always to keep it absolutely original and just concentrate on a proper restoration, as I knew that was where the profit lay."

3.  Peugeot 205 GTI

Mike says: "I've always been a huge fan of the hot hatchback, and I bought and sold plenty back in my trading days. And I reckon the 205 GTI was one of the very best, especially if you go for the 1.9-litre version like we did. That engine is just so punchy, and in such a light car it's a fantastic way to get down a B-road. Rising prices mean there is real investment potential here and you'll absolutely love it."

Edd says: "If I'm honest I'd probably say that I prefer the Golf GTI as a hot hatch, but it's easy to see why the Peugeot 205 GTI is so popular. The 1.9-litre engine is a great unit, and it's robust if you look after it properly. The 205 isn't too hard to work on either. As a technical exercise Peugeot got the GTI spot on, and – typical of French cars – there are some clever design touches."

4.  Mazda MX-5

Edd says: "The MX-5 was in a real state, and sorting the hood and interior took absolutely hours. All in all this one definitely needed some hard work putting in. Having said that, they are quite easy cars to work on, and things like the bolt-on front wings make some of the jobs easier. There are loads of aftermarket parts available, and as long as you stick to good quality parts they usually bolt straight on without the need for any fettling."

Mike says: "There's no doubt about it, the original MX-5 is an absolutely cracking little convertible, and if you're looking for some cheap fun, this is the car to be looking at. There are so many around that you won't have trouble finding a good one, and as long as it's not suffering from rot or been abused it should be cheap to run as well.

5.  Porsche 911 (993)

Mike says: "To be honest, I was really shocked at the condition of the 911 – I don't think I'd ever seen one as abused as this. But we really wanted to get another one on the show, and to find a 993 for this sort of money was amazing. Both of us loved it, and as soon as I took it for a test drive I knew this was the one. I think I said it on the show, but sometimes you just get a feel about a car that needs rescuing, and this Porsche was one of those."

Edd says: "Although the 993 was really poor cosmetically, the biggest job to do was fixing the Varioram system. Porsche's official method is to remove the engine, but that's a major task on one of these, which is why I wanted to see whether it could be done with the engine in place. Luckily this one worked out, although it still took a good few hours, and it needed a really methodical approach, with all the vacuum pipes involved."

To order you copy of the Wheeler Dealers Car Restoration Manual go to the book details page or to our Wheeler Dealers Car Restoration Manual feature page.

Haynes

Chicken Pie in a Pan

To celebrate British Pie Week, which takes place from the 2nd – 8th of March, we’ve dedicated this month’s blog to one of our favourite pie recipes from the Haynes Men’s Pie Manual, written by Andrew Webb. We’ve included the complete recipe and method below so you have everything you need, except for the ingredients, and it’s a very simple but very tasty pie that we’re sure you’ll enjoy. For more great pie recipes check out the Men’s Pie Manual RRP: £21.99 available from www.haynes.co.uk and other good book shops.

Chicken in a frying pan pie

This is the easiest pie in the world, as you make everything in one pan. Needless to say,
it has to be a pan that you can put in a hot oven. I also use ready-made pastry as that
saves time, mess and fuss too.

I made this pie in a small 7in (18cm) frying pan, though I’ve done it in larger; if you’re going to use a normal sized frying pan double the amount of filling, and I’d probably use a pie bird in the centre. You can also use the tiny frying pans used for frying individual eggs, the result being more of a ‘starter’-sized pie. You can also bulk out with left-over spuds.

Ingredients

 

For the filling
½ tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 small onion chopped
1 clove of garlic chopped
Large handful of any leftover cooked chicken bits (thigh, breast or leg)
½ teaspoon of dried tarragon
100ml of chicken stock
Tablespoon of crème fraîche
Handful of frozen peas
Leftover boiled/roast potato
For the pastry
1 packet of pre-made, pre-rolled pastry (shortcrust or puff)
1 egg

Method

 

1)    Place your pan on the hob and gently fry the onion in the oil until soft. Add the garlic halfway through (you don’t want it to burn).
2)     Add the chicken, tarragon, stock and crème fraîche and simmer for about 15 minutes until well combined. Then add the potato.
3)     Add the frozen peas and cook for another 5 minutes so they’re cooked but still bright green.
4)     Turn off the heat and leave to cool.
5)     When cool, preheat your oven to 180°C. Take the pastry out of the packet and cut off two strips 1cm wide. Fashion these around the edge of your pan (this is to provide a bit more support to the pastry). Brush them with egg wash and unfurl your pastry over the pan. Crimp gently and trim off the excess. Brush with the rest of the egg wash and place in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes until the pastry is cooked and golden.
6)    Allow to cool a little before eating straight out of the pan.

Learn more about the Haynes Men's Pie Manual

Haynes

Advice for motorists as UK braces for freezing weather

Britain is to be plunged into a deep freeze today, with 60mph gusts and temperatures falling to -13°C, so motoring experts Haynes Manuals has issued key advice for motorists on keeping safe when facing a variety of winter hazards.

A severe cold front is making its way down from the Arctic, bringing an “80 % probability of icy conditions and heavy snow”, according to the MET Office. The blizzard-like weather will result in difficult driving conditions for motorists, so Haynes Manuals has offered the following tips:

• Check routes before you travel. Both the MET Office and BBC Weather websites include detailed information about the main problem areas across the UK. Check that your routes are clear, especially if you are driving somewhere new.
• Prepare for the worst. Before heading out into the cold, ensure that you have a full tank of fuel, your charged mobile phone and some warm clothes. It is also advisable to take something to eat and drink as these could prove vital if you do break down or get stranded.
• Ensure your car is in good condition before you set off. Check that your battery is charged, your lights are working, your windows are clean, your screen wash is full, your tyres are in good condition and tyre pressures correct before you start your journey.
• Be cautious when driving on slippery roads. If your vehicle skids, depress the clutch and turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid. When the vehicle straightens steer along the road. Whatever you do, don't brake, it will just lock up your wheels and you'll skid further.
• Drive safely. Driving in blizzard-like conditions can be extremely hazardous, so use caution. Be aware of low visibility and slippery roads caused by snow showers and frost covering the ground, particularly early in the morning. Leave adequate distance between cars, stopping distances are ten times longer in ice and snow so don’t go too fast.

Remember: Icy road conditions and snow blizzards put extra strain on car and driver alike, so preparing in advance is highly recommended to keep drivers and passengers safe on UK roads.

Don’t  forget to check your tyres, lights, wipers and battery, but most importantly drive safely. Conditions across the UK are expected to become extremely treacherous, so it is essential that drivers take proper care and pay attention to the road.

If conditions are really bad, then consider whether your journey is necessary.  If it is then make sure you tell someone where you’re going and what time you expect to arrive.

For more handy tips from Haynes visit Haynes' Handy Tips at Haynes Online

Haynes