For a family of 2, cornish game hen is simply perfect. One of these is about 1.5lb and costs about $2.5/lb.
Safeway has a package that has 2 hens in a package for about $8.5
I have tried a few recipes from food network to cook the hen before -- they were all OK.
Today, I was thrilled when an experiment turned out to be successful.
So here is the recipe for spicy oven roasted cornish game hen.
Special Equipment:
2 Heavy cast iron skillets
Ingredients:
1 cornish game hen
6 cloves of garlic
one slice of bacon
2 tsp vegetable oil
Spice mix:
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp red chillie powder
1 tsp corriander powder
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/4 tsp clove powder (optional)
1/4 tsp nutmeg powder (optional)
2.5 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
Procedure:
Wash the hen thoroughly and pat it dry. Sprinkle enough of the spice mix on the skin of the chicken and also inside the chicken. I left the chicken in this state in the refrigerator for 1 day.
Preheat oven to 355F
Spatchcock/spattlecock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spatchcock) the hen - if you have a nice pair of shears, this is easy to do.
Heat 1 tsp oil in the larger skillet. Sear both sides of the hen for a little less than a minute at high heat.
Lower the heat and place 6 cloves of garlic (some around the hen, some under the hen).
Cut up the bacon into one inch pieces and spread them over the hen.
Place the second heavy skillet on top of the bird and turn off the stove.
Move the arrangement into the oven.
Set the timer for 35 minutes.
When the time is up, let the hen rest for 15 minutes before you cut it up.
For people opposed to using bacon, try butter.
Also - always check that the hen is fully cooked before you dig in (juices must run clear or internal temp must reach 180F)
Wish I had taken pictures - it vanished way too fast..
Enjoy...
Safeway has a package that has 2 hens in a package for about $8.5
I have tried a few recipes from food network to cook the hen before -- they were all OK.
Today, I was thrilled when an experiment turned out to be successful.
So here is the recipe for spicy oven roasted cornish game hen.
Special Equipment:
2 Heavy cast iron skillets
Ingredients:
1 cornish game hen
6 cloves of garlic
one slice of bacon
2 tsp vegetable oil
Spice mix:
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp red chillie powder
1 tsp corriander powder
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/4 tsp clove powder (optional)
1/4 tsp nutmeg powder (optional)
2.5 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
Procedure:
Wash the hen thoroughly and pat it dry. Sprinkle enough of the spice mix on the skin of the chicken and also inside the chicken. I left the chicken in this state in the refrigerator for 1 day.
Preheat oven to 355F
Spatchcock/spattlecock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spatchcock) the hen - if you have a nice pair of shears, this is easy to do.
Heat 1 tsp oil in the larger skillet. Sear both sides of the hen for a little less than a minute at high heat.
Lower the heat and place 6 cloves of garlic (some around the hen, some under the hen).
Cut up the bacon into one inch pieces and spread them over the hen.
Place the second heavy skillet on top of the bird and turn off the stove.
Move the arrangement into the oven.
Set the timer for 35 minutes.
When the time is up, let the hen rest for 15 minutes before you cut it up.
For people opposed to using bacon, try butter.
Also - always check that the hen is fully cooked before you dig in (juices must run clear or internal temp must reach 180F)
Wish I had taken pictures - it vanished way too fast..
Enjoy...
