Herb-Infused Pot Roasted Rock Cornish Game Hens with Rustic Vegetables
This delightful dish features succulent Rock Cornish game hens pot-roasted to perfection, enveloped in a mélange of hearty vegetables and infused with aromatic herbs. The simple combination of olive oil, smoky bacon, and fresh herbs elevates this dish to an elegant meal that’s perfect for any occasion, whether a cozy family dinner or a fancy gathering with friends. The result is a beautifully presented dish that not only looks stunning but also delivers a rich depth of flavor, making it an essential recipe for any home chef's repertoire. Enjoy this comforting classic paired with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
N/A
Servings
550
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1 (tablespoon)
onion
1 (sliced)
garlic cloves
2 (sliced)
lightly smoked bacon
1/2 (cup, diced)
rock cornish hens
2 (just under 1 pound each)
melted butter
2 (tablespoons)
baby celery hearts
2 (cut into 4 pieces each)
baby carrots
8
small zucchini
2 (cut into chunks)
small new potatoes
8
chicken stock
2 1/2 (cups)
dry white wine
2/3 (cup)
bay leaf
1
fresh thyme
2 (sprigs)
fresh rosemary
2 (sprigs)
softened butter
1 (tablespoon)
all-purpose flour
1 (tablespoon)
salt
(to taste)
freshly ground black pepper
(to taste)
fresh herb
(to garnish)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a large flame-proof casserole, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onion, garlic, and diced bacon. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened and the bacon is slightly crispy.
3
While the onion mixture is cooking, brush the Rock Cornish hens with melted butter and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4
Once the onion mixture is ready, lay the prepared hens on top. Surround them with the chopped baby celery, carrots, zucchini, and new potatoes, arranged attractively around the birds.
5
Pour the chicken stock and dry white wine over the hens and vegetables, then tuck in the bay leaf and sprigs of thyme and rosemary.
6
Cover the casserole tightly with a lid and bake for 20 minutes.
7
After 20 minutes, remove the lid and brush the hens with the remaining melted butter. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 25 to 30 minutes, until the hens are golden and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
8
Once done, carefully transfer the hens to a warmed serving platter and cut each hen in half using poultry shears.
9
Using a slotted spoon, remove the vegetables from the casserole and arrange them around the hens. Cover with foil to keep warm.
10
Discard the herbs from the pan juices. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter and flour to create a smooth paste.
11
Bring the pan liquid to a gentle boil. Whisk in teaspoonfuls of the butter-flour paste until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Season to taste.
12
Serve the delicious sauce alongside the Rock Cornish hens and vegetables, garnished with fresh herbs for an extra touch of flavor.
Nutrition Information
27
Fat
41
Carbs
40
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein used in this recipe?
The main protein used in this recipe is two Rock Cornish game hens, each weighing just under 1 pound.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
What aromatic vegetables are sautéed at the start of the recipe?
Sliced onion, sliced garlic cloves, and diced lightly smoked bacon are sautéed together first.
Which rustic vegetables are roasted with the hens?
The hens are roasted with baby celery hearts, baby carrots, small zucchini chunks, and small new potatoes.
How do you prepare the Rock Cornish hens for roasting?
Brush the hens with melted butter and season them generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
What liquids are used for the pot roasting process?
The recipe uses 2 1/2 cups of chicken stock and 2/3 cup of dry white wine.
Which fresh herbs are infused into the dish?
The dish is infused with fresh thyme, fresh rosemary, and a bay leaf.
How long do the hens bake while covered?
The hens are baked covered for 20 minutes.
What is the second step of the baking process?
After the initial 20 minutes, the lid is removed, the hens are brushed with more butter, and baked uncovered for another 25 to 30 minutes.
What is the recommended internal temperature for the hens?
The hens are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
How should the hens be cut for serving?
Once cooked, the hens should be cut in half using poultry shears.
How is the sauce for the dish prepared?
The sauce is made by thickening the boiling pan liquid with a paste of softened butter and all-purpose flour.
What should be done with the herb sprigs before serving the sauce?
The herb sprigs and bay leaf should be discarded from the pan juices before finishing the sauce.
What is the calorie count per serving?
This recipe contains approximately 550 calories per serving.
How much protein is in this dish?
Each serving contains 40 grams of protein.
What is the carbohydrate content of this recipe?
This recipe provides 41 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much fat is in the dish?
There are 27 grams of fat per serving in this dish.
Can the white wine be substituted?
While the recipe calls for dry white wine, it can be substituted with additional chicken stock if preferred.
What type of pan is best for this recipe?
A large flame-proof casserole dish is recommended so it can go from the stovetop to the oven.
How are the vegetables arranged for roasting?
The vegetables are arranged attractively around the birds in the casserole dish.
What is the suggested side dish for this meal?
The recipe suggests serving the dish with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
How should the garlic be prepared?
The garlic should be sliced rather than minced.
What is the purpose of the butter-flour paste?
The butter-flour paste, or beurre manié, is used to thicken the sauce to the desired consistency.
How many baby carrots are used?
The recipe calls for 8 baby carrots.
Should the zucchini be peeled?
The recipe specifies cutting the small zucchini into chunks, and peeling is not mentioned, which maintains their shape.
Is this dish suitable for special occasions?
Yes, the description notes it is perfect for both cozy family dinners and fancy gatherings with friends.
What type of oil is used for sautéing the bacon and onions?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used for the initial sautéing.
How do you finish the dish for presentation?
Garnish the hens and vegetables with fresh herbs for an extra touch of flavor.
How is the bacon prepared for the recipe?
Half a cup of lightly smoked bacon should be diced before sautéing.
How much flour is needed for the sauce?
One tablespoon of all-purpose flour is mixed with butter to create the thickening paste.