This item is a source of curiosity for quite a few folks exploring our home and hearth area of the store. A Mast Store associate shares, “I’m sure to get a great reaction when I show our guests this item and ask them to guess what it is.” Is it a chip and dip tray? Is it used to bake a Bundt or angel food cake?  The answer to these questions is, “Absolutely. But, there’s more!” This handy bowl performs a myriad of functions in the kitchen and just might be the key to helping make your holiday meal preparation a whole lot easier.

You may use this handy item in several ways, but this ceramic bowl was originally created as a chicken cooker and makes the most tender, juicy chicken you’ve ever tasted.  Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to use and you can experiment with many different recipes.

To get started, all you need is one whole chicken, a liquid of your choice, and any salt, spices, or herbs you'd like to add. Fill the inner cup of your chicken cooker with wine, beer, juice, or soda. Maybe add smashed garlic cloves to the liquid to enhance the flavor.

Next, simply rub salt into the bird’s skin for flavor, or you can try a few of these rub mixes:
- chopped sage, chopped rosemary, lemon zest, salt and sugar
- ground cumin, ground coriander, salt and sugar
- add chili powder or chili flakes to any of these mixes for a little extra heat

Last, place the bottom of the chicken over the cooker’s cup and pop it in the oven or grill for about two hours. If there’s extra room around the chicken once you’ve placed it in the cooker, add some veggies to the bowl for a quick and delicious addition to your meal.  The cooker also features a handy lip for pouring the liquid off.  When grilling, make sure to start out by putting the cooker on the cool grill to prevent cracking.

The Mast Brand chicken cooker is delicately hand crafted to withstand the rigors of daily use. Its heavy weight and high quality are unmatched by most other stoneware. The chicken cooker is also safe for dishwashers and microwaves. Mast stoneware features attractive cornflower blue detailing and most importantly, this item is made in the USA. At $19.99, this item would make a great holiday gift, too. It’s a wonderful addition to any cook’s artillery in preparation for festive meals. Bon appétit!