The perfect main dish for a dinner party is the Cornish games hens.You can pack them full of flavors with their small size.The hens cook faster than a full-sized chicken and you'll be able to offer your guests their own hen.If you want to get moist, tender meat, try roasting the hens in the oven or grilling them.
Step 1: Put the hens in a roasting pan and preheat the oven.
6 Cornish game hens can be placed on a wire rack in the bottom of a roasting pan.Put a few pieces of aluminum foil on the bottom of the pan if you don't have a wire rack.If you only want to make 2 or 3 hens, you can cut this recipe in half or thirds.The cooking time will not change.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk the juice, butter, and some spices.
Put 1 cup of lemon juice into a bowl and then add butter and 2 grams of paprika.If you want to make a smooth sauce, you need to whisk in 1 g of dried thyme, 5g of seasoned salt, and 3 grams of garlic powder.If you'd like to use fresh herbs, loosen the skin near the hens' breasts and push about 6 fresh sage leaves on each hen.
Step 3: The rest of the sauce should be put over the hens.
The sauce will fall into the pan through the wire rack.You can use the remaining sauce in the bowl to cook the hens.You can brush the hens with half of the sauce instead of pouring it over them.You will have more control if you brush the hens.
Step 4: Put the rest of the spices in another bowl and scatter over the hens.
Take out a small bowl and put the rest of the dried herbs, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and ground black pepper into it.Sprinkle the spices evenly over the hens.You can put your favorite bread or rice stuffing in the hens.
Step 5: The hens should be baked for 1 hour.
The hens should be in the oven for 30 minutes with the lid off.Then, brush the hens with the reserved sauce.The hens should be cooked for 30 more minutes.Once they've finished cooking, the hens should become golden brown.During the last 30 minutes of roasting time, brush the hens frequently.
Step 6: The hens should be removed when they reach 165 F.
If you think the hens have finished cooking, you can put an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the hen's thigh.Before you take the hens out of the oven, the temperature should be at least 165 F.It can take an extra 20 to 30 minutes to roast a stuffed Cornish game hen.If you stuffed the hens, you need to check the stuffing temperature to see if it's reached 165 F.
Step 7: Rest the hens for 5 minutes before they are served.
Let the hens sit in the roasting pan for 5 minutes after laying a sheet of aluminum foil over them.The juices will leave the meat and the hens will finish cooking.You can serve sides with the hens, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or cornbread.The game hens can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Step 8: Cut out the backs of the hens.
To dry the hens, pat them dry with a paper towel.Cut through each hen's breast with a pair of kitchen shears or a sharp knife.You can remove the hens if you flip them over.You can grill as many as you want if you don't want to grill 4 hens.You may need to grill them in batches if you make a lot, but the grilling time won't change.Stock can be made if the backbones are discarded or saved.
Step 9: Place a skewer through the meat.
Turn each hen over so the breasts are facing up.Press down on the breasts to flatten them.Push a skewer through a thigh and it will go through the breasts and the other thigh.You can tuck the wing tips behind the breasts to prevent the wings from burning.
Step 10: In a bowl, mix the salt, pepper, rosemary, juice, zest, garlic, and oil.
Put lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil into a small bowl.Then, stir in 2 cups of ground black pepper, 1 cup of finely chopped Rosemary leaves, and 3 cloves of garlic.
Step 11: The seasoning mixture should be rubbed over the hens.
Rub the seasoning mix on the hen's skin with your fingers.Chickens should be completely coated with seasoning.
Step 12: Medium-high heat can be achieved by lighting a gas or charcoal grill.
Half of the gas grill's burners should be turned to high heat.If you're using a charcoal grill, fill half of the chimney with briquettes.Once the briquettes are hot, dump them onto half of the grill.Before you place the hens on the grate, make sure the grill is hot for 5 minutes.
Step 13: The hens should be cooked over direct heat for 20 to 30 minutes.
The breasts should be facing up when the hens are on the grill.Put the lid on the grill if you want them to be directly over the burners.Lift the lid on the hens so you can flip them over.For another 15 to 25 minutes, cover and cook them.The hens should be charred in spots.
Step 14: The hens should be removed once they reach 165 F.
If the hens are ready to leave the grill, put an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh.tongs to transfer it to a platter if it reads at least 165 F.If you don't have an instant-read meat thermometer, you can cut a hen to see if the juices run clear.
Step 15: Allow the hens to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
If you put all of the hens on a platter, cover them with aluminum foil and leave them to rest.The juices will come out of the meat when the hens finish cooking.The grilled hens can be served with steamed rice, grilled vegetables, or a salad.