Cornish Game Hens

Cornish Game Hen's are one of my husband's favorite things for dinner. He loves the fact that he basically gets a whole chicken to himself. I love making these for him when I want to do something a little special.

I prepare these pretty much the same way that I do my Perfectly Roasted Chicken. Really, the biggest difference is that they cook faster because they are smaller.



Ingredients:
1 Organic whole chicken (with giblets removed)
8 Sprigs of fresh thyme
2 Lemons and their zest
1/2 Stick of room temperature butter
Sea salt
Cracked black pepper
Garlic salt
2 Heaping tablespoons of Creme Fraiche


Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.  Spray your cast iron skillet with non-stick spray.  Place dry hens in the skillet (be sure they are completely dry or the skin won't crisp up. Salt and pepper the cavity and stuff with lemon and 1/2 of your thyme. Massage the outside of the bird with the room temperature butter. Then lightly sprinkle with salt, garlic powder and pepper. Place hens in pre-heated oven.

Baste the hens with the drippings (or chicken broth if there aren't any) every 15 minutes or so. While the hens are cooking add creme fraiche, lemon zest, juice of lemon 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of pepper and thyme removed from stems to a bowl and stir until combined. After 35 minutes of cooking time, remove hens from oven and baste with creme fraiche mixture. Place hens back in oven and continue to cook for 10 more minutes or until the creme fraiche has carmelized on the birds (usually 10-15 mins).  Remove and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes. Serve with roasted vegetables.

Best bird, guaranteed!