Cornish Game Hens With Rosemary
- 4 Cornish game hens, about 1 pound each
- Salt to taste if desired
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
- 4 thin slices prosciutto or other ham
- 8 small sprigs fresh rosemary
- 4 whole cloves garlic, crushed
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup fresh or canned chicken broth
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Sprinkle the inside cavity of each game hen with salt and pepper.
- Insert one slice of prosciutto, two sprigs of rosemary and one crushed whole clove of garlic inside each bird.
- Truss the birds with string and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Pour the melted butter into a metal baking dish and turn the trussed birds in it to coat well.
- Arrange the birds on their backs and scatter the giblets around them.
- Place the baking dish on the stove and bring the butter to the sizzling point.
- Place the dish in the oven and bake 15 minutes.
- Turn the hens on their sides and bake 15 minutes longer, basting occasionally.
- Turn the hens to the opposite side and continue baking, basting occasionally, about 10 minutes longer.
- Arrange the hens on their backs and bake 5 minutes longer, basting often.
- Remove the birds to a serving dish.
- Pour most of the fat from the pan.
- Add the chicken broth, place the pan on the stove and stir to dissolve the brown particles that cling to the bottom of the pan.
- Untruss the birds.
- Pour the sauce over the birds and serve them hot or cold.
cornish game hens, salt, freshly ground pepper, other ham, rosemary, cloves garlic, butter, chicken broth
Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/2467 (may not work)