GAME HENS WITH SUMAC, POMEGRANATE AND CARDAMOM RICE
There's very little difference these days between the small chickens marketed as game hens and the ones called poussins. Both names are used, and they refer to a bird that weighs about 1 pound. And both birds work here in this recipe. The hens are beautifully burnished and seasoned with sumac and pomegranate molasses, which adds a tart sweet and sour flavor. (You can find the molasses at Middle Eastern groceries.) Figure one whole bird per person, or half a bird for smaller appetites. Fragrant cardamom-spiced basmati rice makes a perfect accompaniment.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, main course
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Heat oven to 400 degrees. Season birds inside and out with salt, then tie legs together with butcher twine. In a small bowl, mix together the sumac, cinnamon and black pepper. Sprinkle spice mix evenly over exterior of birds and put a pinch in the cavities, too.
- Place seasoned birds in a roasting pan just big enough to fit and drizzle all over with pomegranate molasses. Turn birds breast-side down and add water to pan to a depth of ½ inch. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 375 and turn birds breast-side up. Continue cooking for another 20 to 25 minutes, using a brush to baste birds with pan juices frequently, until well browned. Juices in thigh should run clear when pierced with a paring knife.
- Meanwhile, make the rice: Put rinsed basmati rice in a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Add cardamom, cloves, butter, currants, raisins, 2 1/2 cups water (or broth) and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then put on lid and turn heat to very low. Cook rice for 15 minutes, then turn off heat. Leave covered for 10 minutes.
- To serve, fluff rice and mound on a large warmed platter. Surround rice with finished birds and give birds a last dab of the pan juices. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds and pine nuts over everything and garnish with mint. Serve the pleasantly tart pan juices separately.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 976, UnsaturatedFat 31 grams, Carbohydrate 71 grams, Fat 50 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 58 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 946 milligrams, Sugar 17 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love
Adi Ridhwan
[email protected]This dish was a bit too spicy for my taste, but I still enjoyed it. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the rice was flavorful. I would recommend using less sumac if you don't like spicy food.
M saqlain Nawaz
[email protected]I'm not a big fan of sumac, but I decided to try this recipe anyway. I'm glad I did! The sumac added a subtle tartness to the dish that I really enjoyed. The chicken was also very moist and flavorful. I will definitely be making this dish again.
David Delgado
[email protected]This dish was easy to make and turned out great! The chicken was tender and juicy, and the rice was flavorful and fluffy. I will definitely be making this dish again.
Olawale Ayinla
[email protected]I made this dish for a dinner party and it was a huge success! My guests loved it. The chicken was so flavorful and the rice was cooked to perfection. I will definitely be making this dish again.
Glory Love
[email protected]This dish was a bit too spicy for my taste, but I still enjoyed it. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the rice was flavorful. I would recommend using less sumac if you don't like spicy food.
Khalid Alhassan
[email protected]I'm not a big fan of sumac, but I decided to try this recipe anyway. I'm glad I did! The sumac added a subtle tartness to the dish that I really enjoyed. The chicken was also very moist and flavorful. I will definitely be making this dish again.
Rab nawaz Hanifi
[email protected]This dish was easy to make and turned out great! The chicken was tender and juicy, and the rice was flavorful and fluffy. I will definitely be making this dish again.
Meer aghakhan
[email protected]I made this dish for a dinner party and it was a huge success! My guests loved it. The chicken was so flavorful and the rice was cooked to perfection. I will definitely be making this dish again.
Demarion Taylor
[email protected]This dish was a bit too spicy for my taste, but I still enjoyed it. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the rice was flavorful. I would recommend using less sumac if you don't like spicy food.
Taha “Devangelo Ortega” Nourallah
[email protected]I'm not a big fan of sumac, but I decided to try this recipe anyway. I'm glad I did! The sumac added a subtle tartness to the dish that I really enjoyed. The chicken was also very moist and flavorful. I will definitely be making this dish again.
richard lewallen
[email protected]This dish was easy to make and turned out great! The chicken was tender and juicy, and the rice was flavorful and fluffy. I will definitely be making this dish again.
Ava Ryan
[email protected]I made this dish for a dinner party and it was a huge success! My guests loved it. The chicken was so flavorful and the rice was cooked to perfection. I will definitely be making this dish again.
khalil Ur rahman
[email protected]This dish was a bit too spicy for my taste, but I still enjoyed it. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the rice was flavorful. I would recommend using less sumac if you don't like spicy food.
Adeel Bilal
[email protected]I'm not a big fan of sumac, but I decided to try this recipe anyway. I'm glad I did! The sumac added a subtle tartness to the dish that I really enjoyed. The chicken was also very moist and flavorful. I will definitely be making this dish again.
Haji786 Sheikh786
[email protected]This dish was easy to make and turned out great! The chicken was tender and juicy, and the rice was flavorful and fluffy. I will definitely be making this dish again.
Phir Bewafaii
[email protected]I made this dish last night and it was a hit! My family loved it. The chicken was so moist and flavorful, and the rice was cooked to perfection. I will definitely be making this dish again.
Akash Dhital
[email protected]This dish was absolutely delicious! The flavors were so complex and well-balanced. I especially loved the combination of sumac, pomegranate, and cardamom. The rice was cooked perfectly and was a great accompaniment to the chicken. I will definitely b