Drunken Cornish Game Hen Food

DRUNKEN CORNISH HENS!

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter large baking pan.
• 2. Rub butter all over the Cornish hens and place them into the buttered baking pan.
• 3. Pour the beer and soy sauce all over the Cornish hens. Put any remaining butter in the pan to use it all up. Cover the baking pan with a lid or aluminum foil.
• 4. Bake covered for 40 minutes. Remove cover. Baste the Cornish hens with the liquid in the pan. Return pan to the oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes, basting a few times.

ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a small mixing bowl, stir together salt, lemon pepper, dried basil and poultry seasoning. Rub olive oil all over the hens and season each with the salt mixture. Place the hens on a baking sheet pan with plenty of space between them. You may need to use 2 pans. Loosely stuff the cavities of each hen with some green bell pepper, celery and onion. Roast the hens in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the juices run clear. Remove the hens from the oven, loosely tent with foil and let rest 10 minutes before carving or serving.

DRUNKEN CORNISH GAME HEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Line a broiler pan with foil, open the Game bird package (Tyson sells them in packages of two, individually wrapped which is darned convenient, you can freeze the other one for next time) & find an empty beer or soda can (or you can go the cheap route & use a can of Bud which works just as well) and fill to the brim with Arrogant Bastard Ale, get the dark stuff, gives a lovely flavor, pop the top (if going the Bud route) & stick it up that randy little bird's butt. Seriously. If I can add a photo you'll see what I mean, I'll give it my best shot --.
• You can put the dry ingredients in a ziplock bag & shake the bird until good & coated or just sprinkle on once on the can. VERY IMPORTANT - IF YOU USE AN ALREADY IN THE CAN BEER, POP THE TOP, I'm pretty sure you don't want it to explode in your oven -- Place the bird atop the can (really give it a good shove, get it in there good & solid) place the whole shebang in the middle of the broiler pan & then place pan in the middle of your oven. Set the timer for 45 minutes & go have a beer or two while you wait. You could also use this time constructively by getting together some nice veggies to sautee as a side dish but if you're already into the beer you probably won't care either way --.
• Enjoy the heck out of this, make two so you can invite the neighbors over, make sure you open the oven so they can point & laugh and tell you what a freak you are, it adds to the fun!
• When you think the bird is done, usually in about 45 minutes (check the thigh joint to see if the juices run clear, smaller birds don't take as long as bigger ones, duh) remove the tray from the oven & ever so gently extract the can from the bird's behind (it will be very hot so be careful!). I usually slice the bird from stem to stern while still atop the can, makes extraction easier. Whatever you do DON'T SPILL THE BEER, especially if you're naked as it will leave a nasty burn, trust me on this one--.
• Anyway, enjoy the heck out of this recipe, it's simple and you'll really love the Game hen. To substitute a regular chicken use a tall beer can & roast for an hour or more -- .

SMOKED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• Combine the brine ingredients and bring to a boil. Remove the brine from the heat and chill down to 36 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Prepare the game hens by cutting along each side of the backbone, removing it from the carcass. Push down on the breast to flatten, and then remove the ribs if you like.
• Marinate the game hens in the fridge overnight. Remove the birds from the brine and pat dry with paper towels.
• Smoke the Cornish game hens at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 4 hours, or until the thigh temperature reaches 175 degrees. Allow the birds to rest for half an hour after smoking before splitting through the breasts and serving.
• Optionally, the game hens can be indirect grilled, or grilled over medium low heat 45 to 75 minutes, or until 175 degrees is reached.

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH KUMQUATS AND ORANGE LIQUEUR SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degree Fahrenheit.
• Remove tarragon leaves from the stems; place aside. Wash and dry kumquats; slice in half and remove all seeds; place aside. Crush, dice, or press the garlic cloves; place aside. Rinse game hens with cold water and pat dry.
• Separate the skin from the game hen's breast. Push in the tarragon leaves and crushed garlic under the skin; the skin protects the leaves and garlic from burning. Place tarragon stems inside the hen's cavity, along with about 35-40 seeded kumquats.
• Place game hens on a raised rack in a roasting pan. Add 1/2 cup of water to the bottom of the pan to prevent the juices from burning. Cook for about one and ½ hours at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Baste frequently and replenish the water in the pan as needed.
• Optional: Place giblets in a saucepan and cover with water. Cook over medium heat until done, about 1 hour. Remove and allow to cool. Chop and set aside.
• Coarsely chop the remaining 10 to 15 kumquats. In a sauce pan, combine the orange juice, sugar, and kumquats. Bring to a slow boil and reduce heat to a low simmer. Stir frequently and cook until done, about 30 to 45 minutes. Set aside.
• Remove the game hens from the oven after 90 minutes or when golden brown and done. Transfer the game hens to a serving platter. Remove and discard the tarragon stems. Reserve the cooked kumquats and decoratively place around the hens.
• Deglaze the roasting pan and transfer the drippings to a saucepan. Carefully add the flour to make a roué. Add chicken broth and cook over medium heat until the gravy is thickened, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add giblets (optional).
• Combine the orange liqueur with orange juice/kumquat sauce and add to gravy. Simmer another 5 minutes. Transfer to gravy boat.
• Carve game hens and serve each portion with gravy and kumquats.

CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• Sprinkle Salt on each Hen.
• Place Hen on a shallow baking pan.
• Mix butter, wine and the tarragon in a bowl.
• Pour 1/4 of the mixture over each hen.
• Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
• Pour 1/2 of the remaining butter mixture over each hen and bake 25 more minutes.