Cornish Game Hen Three Ways Recipes

ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a small mixing bowl, stir together salt, lemon pepper, dried basil and poultry seasoning. Rub olive oil all over the hens and season each with the salt mixture. Place the hens on a baking sheet pan with plenty of space between them. You may need to use 2 pans. Loosely stuff the cavities of each hen with some green bell pepper, celery and onion. Roast the hens in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the juices run clear. Remove the hens from the oven, loosely tent with foil and let rest 10 minutes before carving or serving.

CORNISH GAME HEN THREE WAYS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a shallow roasting pan with foil and set aside.
• For the blackening spice: In a bowl stir together the dark chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, paprika, salt, celery powder, dried parsley, dried thyme and cayenne pepper. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 2/3 cup.
• For the lemon pepper seasoning: In a bowl, stir together the pepper, dried lemon peel, dried minced onion, dried thyme, coriander seeds and sugar if using. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 1 1/4 cups.
• For the game hens: Sprinkle one of the game hens all over with 2 tablespoons blackening spice. Sprinkle another game hen all over with 2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning. Sprinkle the third all over with the rosemary and thyme, garlic, and some salt and pepper. Place the game hens, breast-side up, in the pan; twist the wing tips under the backs. Roast, uncovered, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thigh of each hen registers 180 degrees F, 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 to 7 minutes before serving.

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH GARLIC AND ROSEMARY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Rub hens with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Lightly season hens with salt and pepper. Place 1 lemon wedge and 1 sprig rosemary in cavity of each hen. Arrange in a large, heavy roasting pan, and arrange garlic cloves around hens. Roast in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a mixing bowl, whisk together wine, chicken broth, and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil; pour over hens. Continue roasting about 25 minutes longer, or until hens are golden brown and juices run clear. Baste with pan juices every 10 minutes.
• Transfer hens to a platter, pouring any cavity juices into the roasting pan. Tent hens with aluminum foil to keep warm. Transfer pan juices and garlic cloves to a medium saucepan and boil until liquids reduce to a sauce consistency, about 6 minutes. Cut hens in half lengthwise and arrange on plates. Spoon sauce and garlic around hens. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, and serve.