The other night I awoke at 3 am, screaming. Shrieking really. My heart was pounding and I was drenched in sweat. I had been in the throws of a nightmare. I could barely remember anything about it except one part; Paris Hilton was trying to tear the clothes off my back. Apparently she has a penchant for the high/low pairing of Banana Republic and H&M.
I had an impossible time falling back to sleep. Waking up with such a start never results in a restful night, plus I was obsessed with the meaning of this dream. Paris Hilton? I was scared to even try to google it; nighttime and Paris Hilton means night vision goggles to me.
I have no idea what that nightmare meant, but another one is over; I feel like spending time in the kitchen again. For a while I was worried. Of course all this time I have been cooking, it just has been rather uninspired. I was burnt the hell out. I am still really glad I decided to shake the format up here a bit–it gives me opportunity to actually remake things I have loved–but you should start seeing more recipes here. I, for one, am very glad our long national nightmare is over. I have missed my oven and my mojo.
We are starting out gentle. I love cornish game hens. They look super impressive but could not be easier. They are perfect for dinner parties, especially as they tend to go on sale rather frequently. My pathetic Giant was out of scallions or I would have incorporated a few in with the apple mixture, but nonetheless, these were super delicious. I should have mixed some herbs in here, proof I am a bit rusty, but it really didn’t matter all that much. The apartment smelled like an orchard, dinner was awesome, and everyone was happy.
And I am very, very happy to be back.
Citrus Apple Cornish Game Hens
2 cornish game hens, rinsed and patted dry
1 granny smith apple
1 lemon
1 orange
3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons lemon curd
Preheat oven to 450. Dice half the apple finely and place in small bowl. Drizzle with 2 TBSP oil, salt and pepper, zest from the lemon and zest from the orange. Mix together and stuff apple mixture under the skin of the hens. Squeeze some orange juice on top of the hens. Cut slices of the left over apple, orange and lemon and stick in cavity. Drizzle with remaining oil on top of hens and salt and pepper the birds. Tie together legs. Cook for 2o minutes at 450. Lower heat to 375 and cook for an additional 45 minutes, basting the birds every 10 minutes. During the last 15 minute of cooking, spread curd on top of burds. Remove from oven and let hens sit for 10 minutes before serving,
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve always believed this is the most under-rated poultry of all. Given it’s size, it’s faster than a regular roasting chicken to cook. Also for a hearty meal for two people along with some sides, it’s great. Even a whole one is good for one person with some leftovers for lunch the next day. Classic garlic chicken always works well with this.
That Paris Hilton nightmare is freaky. I think many men would have liked to been on the receiving end of that.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Do men really like Paris?
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Big Money Tony Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Some do. Not me. A friend of mine said he wouldn’t be with her, but then changed his mind and said, “Only if I wear 3 condoms.” This was during her home movie heyday.
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Oh, food porn…how I have missed you…
And I was all impressed by the fact that I took the time to pick up roasted chicken from the local singleton grocery store last night. *sigh*
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Hey, you should be impressed.
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I’ve attemped to cook a CGH before and it didnt go very well… there was alot of smoke and alot of uncooked game hen.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Oh dear…sounds like a recipe for food poisoning.
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We would snap Paris like a twig. That’s all I’m sayin.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Snapped in two, baby!
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Mm.. that looks delicious! I’ve always wanted to try cooking cornish game hens (they’re so cute!) but I didn’t know how. I’ll definitely be trying your recipe soon.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:14 am
It really is not very hard.
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Its not a true Paris Hilton nightmare until you wake up with the herp or a suspicious rash. That’s all I’m saying.
Damn those cornish hens look tasty.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:14 am
They were tasty, I must admit.
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I don’t really dig the taste of the hens, but they are pretty cute. Given my druthers I’ll still pick up a chicken for roasting.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Huh, ya know, I don’t taste much of a difference.
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Paris Hilton in any dream is a nightmare. NIGHTMARE.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Complete and total nightmare.
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I think you should leave the heads on when you serve them.
Like a fish.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Is that possible?
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Maxie Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:10 am
If I bring you a few live chickens it would be possible.
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Ohhhh, recipes-into-life… You’re back! Hurray! Joy!
I got so excited to see a picture of food on your blog that I almost missed the fact that you dreamt about Paris Hilton. You poor thing.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:16 am
It really was quite terrible, Hannah.
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yummy. im hungry right now and i could eat a bird at 10:15am, no problemo.
i was just thinking this morning, randomly, that i hope you do a recipe soon.
esp?
hope those paris hilton nightmares stay away.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:16 am
We speak to each other without words.
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I’m glad you are back, cooking things that I’ll never even try to cook. You got skills that I will say.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Why thanks.
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Those look delicious. I usually avoid game hens for the same reason I avoid crab legs–too much work for not enough meat. However, this recipe may cause me to reevaluate my thinking. Glad to read that your kitchen mojo is back!
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:17 am
I think it is perfect for an elegant dinner party.
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I haven’t had a game hen since junior high-ish, when I was really bone phobic about my food. I might have to give them a try as a grownup.
And feel free to make all sorts of jokes about being bone phobic in junior high. Or the fact that I almost spelled “phood” with a ph.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:18 am
As long as you don’t start talking about Phish, it is ok.
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Yay! I’m glad you’re back – I love the recipes. Even if I’m sometimes too intimidated to try them.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:18 am
No no, not scary. Try them.
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These look great, & I hate chicken on bones. Your culinary skills are mighty impressive.
PS: We could totally beast Paris.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Paris would be sobbing.
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Apples, citrus, poultry. What a great combination.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Thanks, Rob!
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I’ve never really understood the “shove it under the skin” thing. I’ve tried with my turkeys. Maybe I’m not being aggressive enough to separate it from the meat. Hmm….
And when Britney Spears was going down? I had a dream she ended up at Tallgrass. And get this! I wasn’t the only one!
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 9:59 am
You have to separate the skin with your fingers. Make sense>
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 9:59 am
sense? whoops.
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Has anyone ever seen a Cornish game hen alive? They must be the smallest birds imaginable! Citrus and poultry were meant to be paired. These look delicious.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 9:59 am
They must be pathetic. I cannot even imagine.
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I am not a Cornish game hen fan. Never have been. I haven’t had one in years, and so at this point I cannot remember why. They’re cute little suckers all cooked up, though.
I had a dream a couple weeks ago that Paris Hilton, Nicole from More is Better, and Ryan O’Neal moved in next door to Nick and me. What is it with Paris?
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Paris has permeated our collective subconscious.
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I’d say that was a dream about your weight. You want to give those five pounds you’ve been obsessing over to Paris, because Lord knows the poor girl needs them. She was trying to claw them right off you.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
She can freaking have 5 lbs.
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Cornish Game Hen is young chicken, breed to be small. A teenage short chicken, if you will.
Good looking recipe. You mentioned forgetting the herbs, so I’m being a bit repetitive when I mention that some thyme would rock out with this recipe. You could stuff it in the cavity (insert anal joke here) or just mince and sprinkle on.
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Tasty teenagers…I am down.
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My mom used to make cornish game hens on special occasions and I LOVE them. Ah this takes me back! I’ll have to try this recipe!
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Lemmonex Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
It is really not hard at all.
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From where I’m sitting (in my living room if you need to know this) this may have been a nightmare for you, but for the rest of us it was a gift from the food gods because it got you back to recounting, writing and recipiing. You got the lemons, we get the lemmienade. (thank you, thank you very much).
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I had a similar dream about Paris Hilton and also woke up screaming.
Mainly because I was covered in my own sperm, but whatever.
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those look fantastic. i’ve missed your kitchen inspirations – glad they’re back
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Those look amazing! I will have at my new place when I FINALLY move to DC
Oh, and I hope your dreams are a bit more pleasant soon. Nothing as scary as a Paris Hilton!
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Wow. When you come back, you come back with a bang! That looks absolutely amazing! I must walk away now or my computer will drown in drool.
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