Best Irish Cornish Game Hens With Cabbage Recipes

IRISH CORNISH GAME HENS WITH CABBAGE

Steps:

• Core and thinly slice the cabbage. Rinse the leeks wekk, split in half lengthwise and rinse between the layers to remove hidden dirt. Thinly slice the leeks crosswise, into half circles. Cut your Cornish Hen and rub with the global gourmet herb seasoning.
• Slice the bacon into 1/3" pieces. In a large skillet, fry the b acon until crisp. Drain on paper towls, leaving 2 Tbs rendered bacon fat in the pan and reserving any poured off fat.
• Over medium high heat, brown the hen peices on all sides. Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook the pieces until almost done, just slightly pink in the center. Remove the pan and set aside.
• In the same pan, fry the leeks for a minute or so until they begin to soften. Add the cabbage and 3 thyme sprigs and cook just until the cabbage starts to soften, adding more bacon fat if needed. Add the vermouth and cook 1 minute. Stir in the cream and nutmeg. Place the hen pieces on top. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover and simmer 10-15 minutes, too cook the hen through and to blend the flavors.
• Just before serving, season the cabbage with salt and pepper to taste, and stir in the vinegar, adding more as needed to perk up the flavors. Arrange the hen pieces on top of the cabbage. Sprinkle with bacon and the remaining 3 sprigs of thyme.

CORNISH HENS WITH LEMON AND HERBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place hens in a roasting pan, breast sides up. Place 2 thyme sprigs and 1 lemon half in cavity of each hen. Loosen skin from breast, and place remaining thyme and the parsley underneath. Squeeze remaining lemon halves over hens. Rub butter all over hens. Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Roast hens, rotating pan halfway through, until skin turns golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 180 degrees, 45 to 50 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. Cut hens in half lengthwise. Garnish with thyme sprigs, and serve with lemon wedges.

CORNISH HENS WITH CARAWAY CABBAGE

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots, tomatoes and garlic; Sauté 8 minutes. Add wine, thyme and bay leaf. Boil until liquid is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add beef broth, 2 cups chicken broth and caraway seeds. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer 45 minutes, stirring often. Strain sauce into heavy medium saucepan, pressing on solids. Boil until reduced to 2 cups, about 15 minutes. Dissolve cornstarch in 1 tablespoon broth; add to sauce. Boil until slightly thickened, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Tie caraway in cheesecloth square. Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cabbage and onion. Sauté until cabbage begins to wilt, about 3 minutes. Add broth and caraway bundle. Simmer until liquid evaporates, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Discard caraway bundle. Stir in prosciutto. Season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Season hens with salt and pepper. Place on baking sheet. Drizzle with oil. Roast 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F.; continue roasting until cooked through, about 30 minutes.
• Bring sauce to simmer. Rewarm cabbage over low heat, stirring often. Divide couscous among plates. Top with cabbage, then game hens. Spoon sauce over.

TASTY TARRAGON CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Make basting sauce by melting butter in small sauce pan and stirring in wine (or broth) and tarrgon.
• Sprinkle inside of each hen with salt, pepper, tarragon, and garlic.
• Lightly coat outside of hen with olive (or other) oil.
• Liberally sprinkle outside of hen with garlic salt.
• Tie hen legs together if possible (I've also made these without doing this step).
• Place hens in oven.
• Let hens cook about 15 minutes before starting to use the basting sauce. After each basting, I will occasionally sprinkle more garlic salt over the hens.
• Continue to baste hens every 15 minutes or so until done. If hen wings or top start to darken too much, cover those areas with foil.
• When hens have finished cooking, remove to serving platter.
• optional - I place the strained drippings in a bowl (skimming off some of the butter) and use this as a 'gravy' for the hens and any suitable rice/potato dish that may accompany them.
• Use your meat thermometer to determine doneness as it varies according to hen weight.

HERB-BRINED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, sage, garlic, thyme, rosemary and 1 quart water. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from the heat. Add the cold water to cool the brine to room temperature., Place a turkey-sized oven roasting bag inside a second roasting bag; add hens. Carefully pour cooled brine into bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible; seal bags and turn to coat. Place in a roasting pan. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours, turning occasionally. Drain and discard brine; pat hens dry., Meanwhile, place the peppercorns and garlic in a food processor; cover and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add the butter, 3 tablespoons olive oil and herbs; cover and process until smooth. With fingers, carefully loosen skin from hens; rub half the butter mixture under skin. Secure skin to underside of breast with toothpicks; tie drumsticks together. Rub remaining butter mixture over skin., In a 15x10x1-in. baking pan, toss the Brussels sprouts and onions with remaining olive oil, salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer. Place hens, breast side up, on top of the vegetables. Bake at 450° until thermometer inserted in breast reads 165°, 35-40 minutes. Cover loosely with foil if hens brown too quickly., Remove hens and vegetables to a serving platter; cover and let stand for 10 minutes before carving. If desired, garnish with additional herbs.