Title: Rock Cornish Game Hens with Herb and Shallot Butter
Categories: Poultry Ceideburg
Yield: 4 Servings

2		Rock Cornish game hens
		Salt and freshly ground pepper
1	ts	Rosemary
1	ts	Thyme
2	tb	Chopped parsley
1/4	lb	Butter
5		Shallots (minced)

Merle Ellis doesn't provide any more detail on the origins of the game hens, but he does note that "These delicious little birds didn't even exist back in the days when Grandma was a girl. Their ancestors did, the Plymouth Rock hen and the Cornish game cock, but they hadn't gotten together yet in those days. That event didn't happen till around 1950 and since then Rock Cornish Game Hens have become almost commonplace."

Ah but all may not be as it seems at the old poultry counter! While discussing the classification of poultry, Ellis states "Young chickens may be labeled young chicken, broiler, roaster, fryer capon or Rock Cornish game hen". So I guess you pays yer money and takes your chances. Whatever it is that's hanging out around the poultry bins in Safeway under the guise of Rock Cornish game hens, they're good!

Preheat oven to 350F. Cut each hen in half, sprinkle all over with salt and pepper, and bring to room temperature. Melt butter in small fry pan and add shallots, rosemary and thyme. Stir well and let bubble for about 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Place hens in flat baking pan, skin side up, and baste with the butter sauce. bake for 50 minutes, basting every 15 minutes. Garnish with parsley.

Serve with wild rice, leaf spinach, and a rose wine.

Makes 4 servings.

Posted by Stephen Ceideburg December 18 1990.

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