Marinating Cornish Hens

1. Make your marinade by whisking your ingredients in a ceramic or glass bowl. Although you can use a metal bowl, some acidic ingredients may react with certain types of metal. Alternatively, blend the ingredients in a food processor or a blender.

2. Experiment with the flavors in your marinade by switching olive oil or canola oil for aromatic sesame oil or swap freshly squeezed citrus juice for some wine or vinegar. Try different fresh and dry seasonings to achieve the flavor you crave.

3. Remove the giblets from the inside of your Cornish hens and place them in a heavy-duty plastic bag or a baking dish. Pour the marinade over the hens, reserving some to baste with later, and cover or seal the container. If the marinade doesn’t cover the hens fully, that’s okay; you will periodically flip the birds while they marinate.

4. Put the marinating hens in the refrigerator and allow the meat to marinate for at least 2 hours or for as long as up to 24 hours, turning the hens occasionally. The longer you let them marinate, the more flavor the Cornish hens will have.

Cooking Cornish Game Hens

1. Preheat the oven to a temperature ranging from 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Like any other roasted meat, many recipes differ regarding the roasting temperature.

2. Place a wire rack inside your roasting pan, spraying the rack and interior of the roasting pan with cooking spray or oil before placing the hens breast-side facing up on the rack.

3. Roast the marinated Cornish hens for 45 to 60 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reads 170 degrees F when you insert it in the thickest part of the thigh and around 160 degrees F when inserted in the thickest part of the breast. Baste your Cornish hens every 15 to 20 minutes with your reserved marinade.

4. Take the roasting pan out of the oven and cover it with foil, allowing the Cornish game hens to sit for about 15 minutes before serving.