Tandoori Cornish Hen Recipe Sandsquish

• 2 medium-size Cornish hens, about 1 1/4 pounds each
• 2 teaspoons yellow food coloring, optional
• 1 teaspoon red food coloring, optional
• 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon crushed or grated fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon dry ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground roasted cumin seeds
• 2 teaspoons ground roasted coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon melted usli ghee, unsalted butter or olive oil, optional
• 1 medium-size onion (preferably red), peeled, sliced
• 1 medium-size green pepper, cored, sliced
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges

1. Split hens with poultry shears.
2. Pull the skin off the hens, using paper towels to get a better grip.
3. Prick hens all over with a fork or a thin skewer.
4. Make diagonal slashes, 1/2 inch thick and 1 inch apart 2 on the breast, 2 on the thighs and 1 on the drumsticks.
5. Place hens in a large shallow dish.
6. Combine the food coloring in a small bowl and brush over the hens evenly.
7. Mix all the ingredients for the marinade and rub it on the Cornish hen halves.
8. Mix thoroughly, turning several times, pushing marinade into slits and coating pieces evenly.
9. Cover and refrigerate overnight or a maximum of 2 days.
10. Remove hens from the refrigerator and arrange them, meaty side up, on a 10-inch microwave-safe bacon/meat rack.
11. Cook with 650 watts for 6 minutes (or until hens are fully cooked).
12. Remove from oven.
13. If you are using fat, brush hens lightly with usli ghee, melted butter or olive oil.
14. Heat 10-inch browning skillet, uncovered, with 650 watts for 4 minutes.
15. Remove from oven and add hens, meaty side down, to the skillet.
16. Let hens sear until sizzling stops (about 1 1/2 minutes), pressing the hens down.
17. Cook hens with 650 watts for 2 minutes (or until hens turn crimson red and glazed).
18. Remove from oven.
19. While hens are cooking, add accumulated juices from the bacon rack to the onions and peppers in a bowl and mix well.
20. Spread vegetables on bacon rack.
21. Cook vegetables with 650 watts for 2 minutes.
22. Remove from oven.
23. Arrange tandoori hens on a heated platter and serve surrounded with onions, peppers and lemon wedges.

cornish hens, yellow food coloring, red food coloring, plain yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, ginger, ground roasted cumin seeds, ground roasted coriander seeds, ground cardamom, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, usli ghee, onion, green pepper, lemon

Taken from www.chowhound.com/recipes/tandoori-cornish-hen-30584 (may not work)