Herbed Game Hens With Radicchio And Truffle Oil Recipes

HERB-ROASTED GAME HENS

Steps:

• Place hens, breast side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Spoon over hens. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-60 minutes or a thermometer reads 180°.

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.

HERBED GAME HENS WITH RADICCHIO AND TRUFFLE OIL

Steps:

• Mix herbs, 1/2 cup oil and 1/2 cup shallots in bowl. Place hens in large resealable bag. Add herb oil and seal; shake well. Chill overnight.
• Place radicchio on large rimmed baking sheet. Whisk balsamic vinegar and 1/4 cup olive oil in small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Pour all but 1/4 cup marinade over radicchio, turning to coat. Let stand 3 hours.
• Boil stock, 1/4 cup shallots and reserved 1/4 cup marinade in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 6 minutes. Add lemon peel. Cool. Add truffle oil. Season lemon vinaigrette with pepper.
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Place hen pieces on another rimmed baking sheet. Bake until brown and cooked through, about 45 minutes.
• Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add radicchio with marinade; sauté until lightly browned, about 3 minutes per side. Serve hens and radicchio with vinaigrette.
• *Available at Italian markets, specialty foods stores and some supermarkets.