By Anita FInley
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ali Ramee Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
As most families are not around a large Thanksgiving table anymore, it is easier to make a Cornish hen or two. The nice part is that you get drumsticks, wings and pick white or dark meat without asking who wants what?
A Cornish game hen is a type of chicken breed and may be referred to as a broiler chicken. It’s smaller than a regular chicken and ideal for small family meals.
Cornish game hens can be purchased all year round, usually in the frozen chicken section. That means you can still enjoy a small Thanksgiving dinner any day you want, not just in November.
I also heard that there is a turkey shortage this year!!!
Roasted Cornish Game Hens
By John Somerall
These Cornish hens are flavor-packed with aromatic herbs, fresh lemons, and garlic. Coated in a lemon-garlic-herb puree, stuffed with garlic and lemon wedges, and neatly trussed, the hens are roasted on top of a bed of fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs. The roasted birds are drizzled with butter-fortified pan juices just before serving. Pair with roasted or mashed potatoes and a salad tossed with a mustard vinaigrette.
Recipe Summary
Active: 20 mins
Total: 2 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 4
Ingredients
Ingredient Checklist
5 medium lemons, divided
¼ cup fresh rosemary leaves, chopped, plus 10 (4-inch) sprigs
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped, plus 10 (4-inch) sprigs
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon tablespoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
20 garlic cloves, smashed, divided
2 (1 1/2- to 2-pound) fresh or frozen Cornish hens (thawed, if frozen), giblets removed
2 cups lower-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Directions
Step 1
Squeeze 1 lemon to yield 2 tablespoons juice; discard seeds and squeezed rind. Cut 1 lemon into 6 wedges. Cut remaining 3 lemons in half crosswise. Set aside.
Step 2
Place lemon juice, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and 10 garlic cloves in a food processor; process until garlic is finely chopped and mixture is blended, stopping to scrape down sides as needed, about 2 minutes. Rub mixture evenly over Cornish hens and inside the cavities. Fill each cavity with 3 lemon wedges and 5 garlic cloves. Truss each hen with kitchen twine by tying together the legs and tightly wrapping twine around each hen to securely hold wings to breasts. Arrange rosemary sprigs and thyme sprigs in an even layer in a large roasting pan. Place hens and lemon halves on top of herb sprigs. Let rest at room temperature, uncovered, for 1 hour
Step 3
While hens rest, preheat oven to 425°F. Cover roasting pan with aluminum foil. Roast for 25 minutes. Remove hens from oven. Remove and discard foil; add broth to roasting pan. Continue roasting hens uncovered until skin is deep golden brown and a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of meat registers 165°F, 25 to 35 minutes longer. Remove from oven; let hens rest in pan at room temperature 5 minutes. Transfer hens and lemon halves to a cutting board; let rest 5 minutes.
Step 4
Meanwhile, pour remaining mixture in roasting pan through a fine mesh strainer into a small saucepan; discard solids. Bring juices in saucepan to a low boil over medium. Remove from heat, and whisk in butter, 1 piece at a time, until well combined. Season to taste with salt.
Step 5
Carefully cut each hen in half lengthwise. Serve with roasted lemon halves and pan sauce.
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