Do you remember the first recipe you learned how to make? One that was probably so simple, but made you so proud when you had completed the dish? Mine (besides grilled cheese) was a chicken recipe my mom referred to as “Chicken a la Simon and Garfunkel” based on the lyrics in their song Scarborough Fair:
Are you goin’ to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
Remember me to one who lives there,
Remember me to one who lives there,
she once was a true love of mine.
I knew the song so I was able to help make dinner by seasoning the chicken and keeping my mom company while humming the tune to the song (which I have to assume was more of a distraction than a help.. I’m a truly awful singer and I’m sure that translates into a truly awful hummer as well).
I figured this was as good as any time to learn how to roast a chicken. So I settled on Cornish game hens seasoned and stuffed with parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. I also made a “Scarborough Fair” Risotto to go with the chicken.
Ingredients: (I was making this for a family dinner but lowered the amounts to happily feed 2. Multiply as needed).
- 2 Cornish game hens
- 1 tablespoon each of dried parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme (divided)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 lemon
- 4 sprigs each of fresh parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
- 6 small shallots, divided
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup uncooked arborio rice
- 1/2 cup dry white wine, divided
- 2 1/4 cups chicken broth, divided
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
I made this in a clay pot, mainly because I didn’t have a roasting pan and because I did have the clay pot. Feel free to roast instead. If using a clay pot, you need to soak it for 20 minutes beforehand.
While waiting for the pot to soak, remove the giblets from the Cornish game hens (they should be in a bag inside the cavity). Rinse the hen inside and out and pat dry with a paper towel.
Add 2 sprigs of fresh parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme to each Cornish game hen.
Combine 1 teaspoon dried parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the zest of one lemon. Mix to combine.
Liberally season the Cornish game hen with salt and pepper. Coat the hen with the dried spice mixture.
Quarter 5 small shallots and add to the clay pot. Half 2 cloves garlic and add to the clay pot. Add 1/4 cup dry white wine and 1/4 cup chicken broth.
Place the Cornish game hens on top of the shallots and garlic mixture.
Cover and add to oven. Turn the oven on to 425 degrees and set the timer for 1 hour. The Cornish game hens will be finished when a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 185 degrees.
While waiting for the chicken to cook, make the risotto. Add 2 cups of Inn chicken broth to a small pot over medium-low heat.
Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to a large saute pan over medium high heat. Mince the last garlic clove and shallot and add to the pan and cook for 1 minute.
Add 1 teaspoon each of dried parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme and stir.
Add the arborio rice and stir until translucent.
Add 1/4 cup dry white wine and stir until almost evaporated.
Add 1/2 cup of the warmed chicken broth to the rice and reduce heat to low. Stir occasionally until mostly absorbed. Continue adding the chicken broth 1/2 cup at a time, adding after the last broth has been absorbed, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese and remove from heat.
Add the risotto to a plate and top with a Cornish game hen. Serve with lemon slices.
How have I never roasted a chicken before?! My life is changed. This was so fantastic I can’t even believe I made it. The Cornish game hens were flavorful and juicy. The risotto was the perfect pairing as well!
I love risotto!
I’ve never had cornish game hen before! This dinner looks delicious! 🙂
I would make this awesome Chicken and Barley Bake that I love!
I’ve never cooked with a clay pot before. That looks easier than roasting.
Considering the season, I’d use the broth to make a soup.
I’m always afraid of roasting whole hens too. Maybe I’ll get brave and try it though! Thanks so much.
It was so much easier than I expected! Give it a try!
Very impressive bistro-style dish, Kaitlin. From the quality of the meal to the impeccable plating and photography, this is a five star creation!
Thanks Viviane! That’s really nice of you!
Leslie
I would enter my chicken pot pie recipe.
I would enter my vegetarian minestrone that is not really vegetarian because I use chicken stock 🙂
I would enter a risotto recipe! It’s so yummy!