Game Hens With Brussels Sprouts And Chestnuts Recipes

HERB-BRINED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, sage, garlic, thyme, rosemary and 1 quart water. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from the heat. Add the cold water to cool the brine to room temperature., Place a turkey-sized oven roasting bag inside a second roasting bag; add hens. Carefully pour cooled brine into bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible; seal bags and turn to coat. Place in a roasting pan. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours, turning occasionally. Drain and discard brine; pat hens dry., Meanwhile, place the peppercorns and garlic in a food processor; cover and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add the butter, 3 tablespoons olive oil and herbs; cover and process until smooth. With fingers, carefully loosen skin from hens; rub half the butter mixture under skin. Secure skin to underside of breast with toothpicks; tie drumsticks together. Rub remaining butter mixture over skin., In a 15x10x1-in. baking pan, toss the Brussels sprouts and onions with remaining olive oil, salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer. Place hens, breast side up, on top of the vegetables. Bake at 450° until thermometer inserted in breast reads 165°, 35-40 minutes. Cover loosely with foil if hens brown too quickly., Remove hens and vegetables to a serving platter; cover and let stand for 10 minutes before carving. If desired, garnish with additional herbs.

ROASTED GAME HENS WITH CARAMELIZED ROOT VEGETABLES AND DRIED-CURRANT SAUCE

Steps:

• For caramelized root vegetables:
• Melt butter with oil in very large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 5 minutes. Add rutabagas and next 4 ingredients; sauté until vegetables are caramelized and tender, stirring often, about 30 minutes. Stir in chestnuts, garlic, and thyme; sauté 5 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm over medium heat, stirring frequently, until heated through before serving.
• For hens:
• Mix 1/4 cup thyme, shallots, oil, orange peel, garlic, and crushed juniper berries in small bowl for marinade. Rub marinade all over hens. Place hens in large roasting pan; cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Pour 1 1/2 cups broth into roasting pan with hens. Sprinkle hens with salt and pepper. Cover pan tightly with foil. Roast until hens are cooked through and juices run clear when thighs are pierced with fork, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Preheat broiler.
• Pour pan juices from hens into small saucepan; add dried currants and remaining 1 tablespoon thyme. Boil until liquid is reduced to 1 cup, about 5 minutes (sauce will be thin). Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, broil hens until lightly browned, watching closely to avoid burning, about 4 minutes.
• Place 1 hen half on each plate. Divide caramelized vegetables among plates. Spoon sauce over hens and serve.

BLANCHED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH CHESTNUTS

Steps:

• Use a paring knife to cut an X in the flat side of each chestnut shell. Toss into a pot of boiling water and cook for 10 minutes. Peel away the outer shell and brown skin. Return the peeled chestnuts to the pot of water and boil until tender, about 25 minutes.
• Blanch the Brussels sprouts in boiling salted water for about 8 minutes or until they are just tender. Take care not to over cook. Drain the Brussels sprouts well and cut in half lengthwise. Melt butter in a skillet and saute the shallots. Add the chestnuts and Brussels sprouts, toss to coat with the butter. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Cook for 5 minutes until heated through