Cornish Game Hens Under a Brick
Description:
Indulge in the crispy and juicy delight of Cornish game hens cooked under a brick, complemented by a tantalizing sauce infused with wine and thyme. This recipe, crafted by renowned cookbook author Rozanne Gold, promises a quick and easy culinary adventure, especially if you’ve prepared the garlic oil ahead of time. Each bite will leave you licking your fingers in pure satisfaction, making it a perfect treat for special occasions. Feel free to substitute your favorite herb for the thyme to customize the flavor to your liking.
Recipe Category: Poultry 🍗
Keywords: Meat, Savory, < 30 Mins, Stove Top, Easy, Inexpensive 💰
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 4780.8
- Fat: 455g
- Saturated Fat: 65.5g
- Cholesterol: 619.7mg
- Sodium: 486mg
- Carbohydrates: 19.6g
- Fiber: 1.4g
- Sugar: 1.6g
- Protein: 139.8g
Ingredients:
- 16 garlic cloves
- 2 cups olive oil
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 1/2 cups dry white wine
- 3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
Garlic Oil:
- Gently heat garlic and olive oil in a small saucepan over low heat for about 5 minutes, or until bubbles start to form on the surface.
- Turn off the heat and add bay leaves and black peppercorns to the saucepan.
- Allow the mixture to steep and cool. This flavorful garlic oil can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, ready to enhance your dishes with its aromatic essence.
Cornish Hen:
- Begin by preparing the Cornish hen. Using kitchen shears, carefully cut the hen along its backbone and butterfly it open with your hands.
- Season the hen generously with salt and pepper, ensuring each bite is infused with flavor.
Cooking Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | In a nonstick skillet large enough to accommodate the flattened hen, heat the garlic oil over medium heat. |
| 2 | Once the oil is hot, carefully add the hen to the skillet, skin side down. |
| 3 | Place an aluminum foil-wrapped brick on top of the hen to evenly weight it down. This technique will help achieve a beautifully crispy skin. |
| 4 | Cook the hen, turning it every 2-3 minutes, until it becomes golden brown and thoroughly cooked. This process usually takes around 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of the hen. |
| 5 | Once the hen is cooked through, transfer it to a serving plate or plates. |
| 6 | Deglaze the skillet by pouring in the dry white wine, and add the fresh thyme leaves. |
| 7 | Increase the heat to high, and reduce the wine sauce until it thickens, while scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. |
| 8 | To serve, generously drizzle the flavorful wine sauce over the Cornish hen, enhancing its succulence with every spoonful. For an extra burst of flavor, consider drizzling additional garlic oil over the dish. |
| 9 | Serve immediately, and savor the irresistible combination of crispy skin, tender meat, and aromatic sauce. |
Note: The prep and cook times for preparing the garlic oil are not included in the total cooking time provided. Expect to spend an additional 20 minutes preparing the garlic oil if you choose to use it while still warm.
Recipe Yield: 1-1 1/2 pound hen 🍽️
Indulge in this sumptuous dish, perfect for any occasion where you want to impress your guests or simply treat yourself to a culinary masterpiece. With its crispy exterior, juicy interior, and flavorful sauce, Cornish Game Hens Under a Brick are sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Enjoy the process of cooking as much as the delightful flavors it brings to your table!
