Game Hens Southwestern Style Recipes

BAKED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• In a small bowl combine the 1/2 cup melted butter, onion, celery, bell pepper, mushrooms, garlic, basil, oregano and parsley.
• Season hens inside and out with salt and pepper to taste, then stuff with equal amounts butter/vegetable mixture. Place stuffed birds in a 9x13 inch baking dish, breast side up. Drizzle with 1/4 cup melted butter.
• Cover dish and bake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours. Remove cover and brown at 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).

HERB-ROASTED GAME HENS

Steps:

• Place hens, breast side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Spoon over hens. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-60 minutes or a thermometer reads 180°.

ROASTED GAME HEN WITH ROOT VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees with racks in top and bottom. Place hen, breast-side down, on a work surface. Using kitchen shears, cut along both sides of backbone to remove. Flip over; split lengthwise with a heavy knife. Pat dry; season with salt and pepper. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss vegetables with 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Transfer sheet to bottom rack of oven.
• In an ovenproof skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high. Add hen, skin-side down; cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Flip; transfer skillet to top rack of oven. Roast, stirring vegetables once, until golden, and a thermometer inserted into thickest part of hen thigh reads 165 degrees, 18 to 20 minutes for hen, and 25 to 28 minutes for vegetables. Transfer hen and vegetables to a platter. Return skillet to medium heat; whisk in mustard, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon water, and capers. Cook until reduced slightly, about 1 minute. Stir in tarragon; spoon over vegetables. Serve, with more mustard.

GAME HENS SOUTHWESTERN-STYLE

Steps:

• TO PREPARE GAME HENS: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Sprinkle lime juice on hens, then sprinkle on the chili powder, cumin, salt and ground black pepper. Splash olive oil over hens. Place in a 9x13 inch baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes; then reduce oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake until done and juices run clear, about 45 minutes more.
• TO MAKE SALSA: Combine the corn, red onion, garlic, red bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, lime juice, lemon juice, cilantro, cumin, salt, ground black pepper and olive oil. Mix well and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Put on a platter and top with the cooked hens. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve.