ROASTED GAME HENS STUFFED UNDER THE SKIN WITH HERBED RICOTTA

Roasted Game Hens Stuffed Under the Skin with Herbed Ricotta image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h55m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

12 ounces (3/4 of a 15-ounce container) part-skim ricotta
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
2 small garlic cloves
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
6 Cornish game hens
1 1/2 small lemons, cut into 6 quarters
1 1/2 small onions, cut into 6 quarters
1/2 cup dry white wine

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put the ricotta in a fine sieve and drain for 30 minutes. In a medium bowl, combine the drained ricotta, Parmesan, egg yolk, herbs, and lemon zest. Put the garlic cloves through a garlic press and add to the mixture. Combine well, adding the salt and pepper to taste.
Rinse the game hens and pat them dry. Season the cavities with salt and pepper and place a lemon quarter and an onion quarter in each cavity.
Loosen the skin on the breasts by sliding your fingers under the skin, being careful not to pierce it. Spoon the ricotta mixture under the skin (about 4 tablespoons of stuffing per bird). Truss the birds.
Place the birds, breast side up, in a shallow roasting pan. Pour the white wine into the pan. Bake for 1 hour, or until the juices run clear when the hen is pierced in the thickest part of the thigh. Remove from the oven, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest 10 minutes. Discard the trussing string and serve with the pan juices spooned over the hens.