SANDRA’S SLOW-COOKER HERB and MEYER LEMON CORNISH GAME HENS

A quick meal to prepare 

starting out with frozen cornish game hens
during mid-morning or at noon on a busy work day

for a quite rewarding dinner...

Serves: 4

Prep: 15 Mins.

Slow-Cook: 6 Hrs. on low

INGREDIENTS (All organic)

Veggies/Hens:

½ red onion, cut into 8 wedges

2 carrots, roughly chopped

2 ribs of celery, roughly chopped

2 (1.5 lb.) frozen cornish game hens

Drizzle mixture:

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 meyer lemon cut in half, juiced, (reserve juiced halves)

2 tablespoons quality white wine

4 cloves garlic, minced

½ teaspoon poultry seasoning

½ teaspoon dried thyme

½ teaspoon dried rosemary

½ teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Side option:

-- Sandra’s Flavorful Steamed Basmati Rice and Herbs

METHOD

Spread veggies in bottom of 6-quart slow-cooker, and place frozen cornish game hens on top. Whisk the remaining drizzle mixture ingredients in a small bowl, and drizzle over hens.  Place the reserved (pre-squeezed) lemon halves next to hens in slow-cooker.

Slow-cook, covered, on low heat for 6 hours, or until the legs begin to fall away from hens, (or when the temperature of the breast meat reaches 160 degrees).

If making, start preparing the Flavorful Steamed BasmatiRice and Herbs about 30 minutes prior to serving your meal.

To crisp skin: Preheat the oven broiler. Line a 9”x13” baking pan with foil and spray with olive oil. Toss the lemon halves.  Carefully remove hens using two large spatulas and place them on the prepared baking dish.

Place baking dish in the oven under the broiler for about 4-5 minutes, until golden brown and skin is crisp. Allow hens to rest after removing them from the broiler for 5-10 minutes.

To serve, cut the hens down the middle, serve with the prepared basmati rice and herbs, along with steamed vegetables removed with a slotted spoon from slow-cooker. ~ Enjoy.


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Tips:  If you wish to make a gravy from the drippings keep it hot in the slow-cooker.  Skim excess oil from the top with a spoon (or use a gravy/oil separator), and  make a slurry by whisking 2 tablespoons of cold water with 1 tablespoon of corn starch in a small bowl, then slowly whisk in slurry until gravy has thickened.


You can also do the same with a 3 lb. whole chicken, although thaw it first so you are able to remove the giblets and neck from cavity, then be sure to place the lemon halves inside cavity before cooking.