FoodB

I am starving. I am sitting at work and thought it would be a good idea to get out another post for this here blog. I am realizing that it probably wasn't such a good idea.

Last week we our usual recipe for Cornish Game Hens. We both really like it and haven't felt the need to expand on it really. When you buy game hens though, you typically get a pack with two of them in it and usually we just throw the extra one in the freezer for a future retread of the same recipe. This week we decided to go ahead and find another recipe that involved our favorite little bird. So after much searching, it Emeril to the rescue:

Bulgur, Herb, and Feta Stuffed Cornish Hens

1 1/2 cups chicken stock
3/4 cup medium-grain bulgur
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill, plus generous sprigs for garnish
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus generous sprigs for garnish
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint, plus generous sprigs for garnish
3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed
4 scallions (white and green), chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
Freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 cup crumbled Greek feta (about 3 ounces)
4 Cornish game hens, backbone and breast bone removed (butterflied)
Charred Tomato Coulis, recipe follows

1. Bring the stock to a boil in a small saucepan. Meanwhile, toast the bulgur in a medium skillet over medium heat until fragrant and nutty, about 4 minutes. Stir in the bulgur, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside for 5 minutes.
2. Transfer the bulgur to a medium bowl and fluff with a fork. Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil, chopped herbs, pine nuts, 2 teaspoons salt, scallions, and garlic and season with pepper, to taste. Cool slightly and add the egg and feta, and mix to combine. Set the stuffing aside.
3. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
4. Lay the hens on a work surface. Starting from the neck of a hen, slip a couple fingers between the skin and breast, and loosen the skin. Take a large spoonful of the stuffing and slip the spoon between the skin and breast. With your free hand, hold the stuffing in place and gently pull the spoon out, leaving the stuffing behind. Press the skin down to evenly distribute the stuffing over the breast. Repeat until the hens are evenly stuffed. Cross the legs of the birds at the breastbone and tie them with a piece of kitchen twine.
5. Arrange the hens breast-side up on a baking sheet. Brush all over with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
6. Roast the birds until well browned and crispy, and an instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees when inserted into the thigh, about 40 minutes.
7. To serve, split the hens in half lengthwise. Pour the coulis onto a platter and arrange the hens on top. Garnish with the herb sprigs and serve.

Charred Tomato Coulis
4 medium ripe tomatoes
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper

1. Put the tomatoes over 2 gas burners on high and cook, turning occasionally, until charred and peeling. Alternatively, broil the tomatoes until charred. Put the tomatoes in a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Set aside to steam for 5 minutes. Peel and seed the tomatoes.
2. Transfer the tomatoes to a blender with the vinegar and garlic and puree until smooth. While the motor is running, drizzle in the oil until incorporated. Season with pepper, to taste.

Pretty intense recipe. The bird and the stuffing were both good stuff. As for the tomato coulis, there was a little accident and I ended up cleaning more of it off of the counter than ended up on our plates. I'm not really a sauce person myself so I let Jenn have the bulk of what could be salvaged. As for the stuffing, I was very surprised that the feta or the dill didn't overpower it. I'm not a big fan of either so I was a little worried when I saw that both of them were involved. Since there was only two of us, we decided to split the recipe by 4 (which made for some interesting fractional measurements). Also we avoided the pine nuts due to possible allergic reactions as always. The recipe may seem intimidating just looking at the amount of ingredients and steps, but I think Jenn had a pretty easy time of it. All and all, another keeper.