Rotisserie Game Hens With Nectarine Chutney Food

ROTISSERIE CORNISH GAME HENS, BRINED AND HERBED

Steps:

• In a container large enough to fit all the hens, mix the salt and sugar in the water until dissolved. Submerge the hens in the brine, and refrigerate for 2-4 hours.
• Put the herb rub ingredients in a small bowl, mix to combine, and set aside. Remove the hens from the brine, and pat dry with paper towels. Be thorough - wet hens won't brown! Loosen the skin covering the breasts of the hen by carefully running your finger under the skin. Get a little of the herb rub on the breast meat where you just loosened it, and spread it all over the breast. Rub the hens with the rest of the herb rub, making sure to get some inside the cavity as well. Truss the hens and put them on the spit. It helps if you have four sets of forks for your spit for this. Put the hens on in two sets of two - first bird on the spit feet first, then the second bird breast first, so the neck part of the backbone of the two hens are touching. Then use a fork to secure the first pair of hens. Repeat for the second set of hens. Let sit at room temperature while you prepare your grill.
• Set your grill up for rotisserie cooking at high heat. For my Weber Summit, this means removing the grates, turning the two outer burners (burners 1 and 6) to high, and turning the infrared burner to high. Then I put my drip pans in the middle, over the unlit burners.
• Put the spit on the grill, put your foil pans under the hens, and start the spit spinning. Cook with the lid closed. It will take for 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of the hens. (It took 45 minutes for my 1 1/2 pound hens). Check the internal temp on the hens after 20 minutes, and every 10 minutes thereafter - you want 160*F to 165*F in the breast, and 170*F to 180*F in the thigh. Remove the spit from the grill (while wearing gloves!), and remove the hens from the spit. Cover the hens with foil, and let rest for 15 minutes before serving.
• Cut the hens in half - I find a half a hen to be a good serving for an adult, with one hen per person if they're a big eater. If you have poultry shears or kitchen shears, cut the chicken along one side the backbone, and then through the middle of the breast to separate the hen into two halves. If you don't have shears, use a large knife. On a cutting board, run a chef's knife through the cavity and split the chicken along the backbone, then turn it over and split through the breast.

ROASTED CORNISH GAME HEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Pat the hens dry with a paper towel. Use your index finger to loosen the skin on the top of the hen and slip a thin slice of butter under the skin on top of each breast. Add a few rosemary and thyme leaves (or herb of choice). Repeat for each hen. Put a quarter of a lemon in the cavity of each hen along with a clove of garlic and a sprig of fresh rosemary and thyme (or herb of choice). Truss the hens by tying the wings and legs.
• Rub each hen all over with some extra virgin olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place then hens on the rack of a roasting pan lined with aluminum foil, spacing them out so they are as far apart from each other as possible. This will enable their skins to get browned and crispy.
• Place the hens in the preheated oven and roast for 25 minutes.
• While the hens are roasting, combine the chicken broth and wine in a bowl.
• After the hens have been roasting for 25 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Pour the broth/wine mixture over the hens and continue to roast for 30 minutes, basting the hens with the juices at the bottom of the pan every 10 minutes or less. The hens are done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the juices run clear. If you prefer darker skins, turn up the temperature to broil for a couple more minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
• Carefully remove the hens and pour the juices from their cavities into the roasting pan. Transfer the hens to a warmed platter, remove the trussing string, and tent with aluminum foil to keep warm. Pour the juices from the roasting pan into a saucepan and boil for about 5 minutes until the liquid is a thin sauce-like consistency. Serve the hens whole per guest or cut in half lengthwise and place cavity-down on each serving plate. Drizzle the sauce over the hens and garnish with fresh herb sprigs and a slice of lemon. Serve immediately.

CLEMENTINE AND CRANBERRY GLAZED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a small saucepan, saute the shallots in the butter over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add in the clementine zest and juice, cranberry, brown sugar and rosemary. Simmer until thick, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Season the game hens liberally with salt and pepper. Using a basting brush, paint each bird entirely with the glaze. Cover the wing tips with foil to keep them from blackening too much.
• Place the glazed birds in an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven. Roast for 20 minutes, and then reglaze the birds. Check after 15 more minutes; if the sugars in the glaze are turning too brown, lightly tent the Dutch oven with foil to protect the skins. Baste again after 45 more minutes, then check with an instant-read thermometer after another 5 minutes; the thighs must register at 165 degrees F, the breasts at 170. Let rest for 10 minutes and serve.

ROTISSERIE BBQ CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• For a G.E. Countertop Oven with Rotisserie:.
• Combine all the ingredients of the rub. Use on poultry: lightly brush bird with olive oil, then rub spice mixture over and under the skin. Let marinade for up to 12 hours.
• Warning: Do Not reuse leftover rub or marinade after it has been applied to meat or poultry; it may contain harmful bacteria.
• Use a baking twine to secure the bird(s) legs and wings to keep from flopping around as the rotisserie is turning.
• Position a rotisserie fork at the opposite end of the spit from where the point is located and secure into position using the thumbscrews.
• Thread the spit through the bird(s) cavity and secure the fork into the meat of the bird.
• Place the second fork onto the spit and secure into the meat.
• Insert the pointed end of the spit into the rotisserie motor and the other end into the support.
• Place the drip pan in the oven in the lowest position to catch the drippings.
• Turn the timer to the Stay on position (I set mine to 60 minutes then to 30 minutes so I have to check on the birds). Allow to cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• For the mop:.
• Mix all ingredients in a pot, and heat over med/low for 20 minutes.
• Let the mop cool before placing in a sprayer.
• Moisten the birds by spraying the mop onto them about every 20 to 30 minutes during cooking.
• Birds are done when juices run clear and the legs separate from the birds easily.

CORNISH HENS ON A ROTISSERIE

Steps:

• Wash the hens under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Mix all the spices together and rub the outside of the hen making sure it is coated with the spice very well. Slide the hens on to the the rod and secure with cotton string around the end of the legs and wings.
• If you have a rotisserie, set temp to 350 or on the medium setting. Cook hens 30-40 or until temp reaches 170 in the thigh area . Let set for 5-7 minutes before serving.
• You can also use your oven set at 350,I have found it works the best if you can set the hens on a small rack inside a roasting pan ans baste the last 15 minutes.

YAKITORI CHICKEN

Steps:

• TO MAKE THE MARINADE: In a small bowl whisk together the marinade ingredients. Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks. Remove the stem, ribs, and seeds from the bell peppers and cut into 1-inch chunks. Cut the pearl onions in half. Place the chicken, bell peppers, and pearl onions in a large, resealable plastic bag and pour in the marinade. Press the air out of the bag and seal tightly. Turn the bag to distribute the marinade, place in a bowl, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours, turning occasionally. Remove the chicken, bell peppers, and pearl onions from the bag and reserve the marinade. Pour the marinade into a small saucepan, bring to a boil, and boil for 1 full minute. Remove from the heat and set aside. Thread the chicken, bell peppers, and pearl onions onto skewers. Lightly brush or spray with vegetable oil. Grill over Direct Medium heat until the meat is firm and the vegetables are tender, 8 to 10 minutes, turning and basting with the marinade once halfway through grilling time. Serve warm.From Weber's Big Book of Grilling. Copyright © 2001 Weber-Stephen Products Co. All rights reserved. First published by Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco, California.

WEST AFRICAN CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• TO MAKE THE PASTE: In a small bowl combine the paprika, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Whisk in the canola oil. Trim the chicken thighs of any excess skin and fat. Rinse under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Coat with the paste. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours. Sear the chicken thighs, skin side down, over Direct Medium heat for 4 minutes, turning once halfway through searing time. Continue grilling over Indirect Medium heat until the juices run clear and the meat is no longer pink at the bone, 30 to 40 minutes more. Serve warm.From Weber's Big Book of Grilling. Copyright © 2001 Weber-Stephen Products Co. All rights reserved. First published by Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco, California.

MESQUITE-ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• TO MAKE THE RUB: In a small bowl combine the rub ingredients. Remove and discard the neck, giblets, and any excess fat from the chickens. Rinse the chickens, inside and out, under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Remove the backbones and cut in half (see REFERANCE & APPENDIX, _Cutting Poultry For The Grill: Special Technique). Coat each chicken half thoroughly with the rub, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours. TO MAKE THE SAUCE: In a small bowl whisk together the sauce ingredients along with 1/2 cup water. Follow the grill's instructions for using wood chunks. Grill the chicken halves, skin side up, over Indirect Medium heat until the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 170°F in the breast and 180°F in the thickest part of the thigh, about 1 1/4 hours. Remove from the grill and loosely cover with aluminum foil. Allow to rest for about 5 minutes before cutting the halves in two. Serve warm with the sauce on the side.From Weber's Big Book of Grilling. Copyright © 2001 Weber-Stephen Products Co. All rights reserved. First published by Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco, California.

POLLO DIABLO

Steps:

• TO MAKE THE MARINADE: In a medium bowl whisk together the marinade ingredients. Remove and discard the neck, giblets, and any excess fat from the chicken. Rinse the chicken, inside and out, under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Butterfly the chicken by removing the backbone and flattening it (see REFERANCE & APPENDIX, _Cutting Poultry For The Grill: Special Technique). Place the chicken in a large, resealable plastic bag and pour in the marinade. Press the air out of the bag and seal tightly. Turn the bag to distribute the marinade, place in a bowl, and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours, turning occasionally. Remove the chicken from the bag and discard the marinade. Grill, skin side up, over Indirect High heat until the internal temperature reaches 170°F in the breast and 180°F in the thickest part of the thigh, 45 minutes to 1 hour. The juices should run clear and the meat should no longer be pink at the bone. Remove from the grill and allow to rest for about 5 minutes before cutting into serving pieces. Serve warm.From Weber's Big Book of Grilling. Copyright © 2001 Weber-Stephen Products Co. All rights reserved. First published by Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco, California.

ROTISSERIE GAME HENS WITH NECTARINE CHUTNEY

Steps:

• TO MAKE THE PASTE: In a small bowl mix together the paste ingredients. Remove the giblets from the hens and discard. Rinse the hens, inside and out, under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the paste all over, inside and out. Place in a large, resealable plastic bag. Press the air out of the bag, seal tightly, and refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours. TO MAKE THE CHUTNEY: In a medium, heavy saucepan combine the chutney ingredients. Bring to a boil, then simmer over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is reduced and slightly thickened, 20 to 30 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or up to 3 days. Divide into two bowls. Allow to come to room temperature before serving. Remove the hens from the bag. Truss with cotton string (see REFERANCE & APPENDIX, _Trussing: All Tied Up) and season with salt. Center lengthwise on the spit and adjust on the rotisserie. Let the hens rotate over Indirect High heat until the juices run clear and the meat is no longer pink at the bone, 45 minutes to 1 hour. For a succulent glaze, baste with the chutney from one of the bowls during the last 10 minutes of grilling time discard any that remains. Turn off the rotisserie. Using barbecue mitts, remove the spit from the rotisserie and slide the hens from the spit onto a cutting board. Loosely cover with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Using poultry shears or a sharp knife, remove the string and split each hen in half. Serve warm with the reserved bowl of chutney.From Weber's Big Book of Grilling. Copyright © 2001 Weber-Stephen Products Co. All rights reserved. First published by Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco, California.

ROTISSERIE ASIAN-STYLE CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• In a shallow dish mix together the first 7 ingredients, then transfer to a large heavy ziploc plastic freezer bag, add in the hens; seal the bag and toss to coat.
• Refrigerate for about 5 hours.
• Remove the hens and thread on the rotisserie (reserve the marinade and discard the green onion halves).
• Pour the reserved marinade in a small saucepan.
• Reserve 1/4-cup of the chicken broth and pour the rest in with the marinade; bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
• In a small cup whisk together the reserved 1/4 cup chicken broth with 2 teaspoons cornstarch; add to the simmering sauce, and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Prepare the gill to medium heat, or whatever heat desired to rotisserie.
• Secure the hens with strong string, then thread the hens onto the rotisserie rack, sprinkle with black pepper if desired.
• Grill until the hens are done about 1 hour.
• Place the hens on a platter and sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.
• Serve hens with sauce on the side.