Best 4 Texas Style Game Hens Recipes

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In the heart of Texas, where culinary traditions run deep, lies a dish that embodies the state's bold flavors and hearty spirit: Texas-Style Game Hens. These succulent birds, often quail or pheasant, are meticulously prepared with a symphony of spices, creating a taste experience that tantalizes the palate. This article presents a collection of carefully curated recipes that showcase the diverse culinary interpretations of Texas-Style Game Hens.

One recipe takes you on a journey to the Hill Country, where game hens are marinated in a flavorful blend of chili powder, cumin, and paprika, then grilled to perfection over a mesquite wood fire. The result is a smoky, slightly spicy dish that pairs beautifully with a tangy tomatillo salsa.

For those who prefer a more rustic approach, another recipe introduces the classic cast-iron skillet method. Game hens are seasoned with a savory combination of garlic, thyme, and rosemary, then seared until golden brown. Nestled in a bed of roasted vegetables, they are braised in a rich chicken broth, resulting in a tender and juicy masterpiece.

Adventurous cooks will delight in the unique flavors of the Tex-Mex Game Hen recipe. A vibrant marinade of lime juice, cilantro, and chipotle peppers infuses the game hens with a zesty kick. Grilled or roasted, these birds are served with a refreshing avocado salsa and a dollop of sour cream, creating a harmonious blend of tangy, spicy, and creamy textures.

For those seeking a sophisticated twist, the article offers a recipe for Prosciutto-Wrapped Game Hens. The game hens are elegantly wrapped in prosciutto and roasted until crispy. Accompanied by a delicate sauce made from white wine, shallots, and cream, this dish exudes a touch of luxury that is perfect for special occasions.

Each recipe in this article has been carefully crafted to highlight the distinct flavors and textures of Texas-Style Game Hens. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, these recipes will guide you in creating a delightful culinary experience that captures the essence of Texas' vibrant culinary heritage.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS



Roasted Cornish Game Hens image

Go for a different kind of bird by stuffing and cooking the Neelys' Roasted Cornish Game Hens recipe from Down Home with the Neelys on Food Network.

Provided by Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons lemon-pepper
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 Cornish game hens, about 1 1/2 pounds each, rinsed and dried thoroughly
1 green bell pepper, large dice
2 stalks celery, large dice
1 onion, large dice

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • In a small mixing bowl, stir together salt, lemon pepper, dried basil and poultry seasoning. Rub olive oil all over the hens and season each with the salt mixture. Place the hens on a baking sheet pan with plenty of space between them. You may need to use 2 pans. Loosely stuff the cavities of each hen with some green bell pepper, celery and onion. Roast the hens in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the juices run clear. Remove the hens from the oven, loosely tent with foil and let rest 10 minutes before carving or serving.

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH GARLIC AND ROSEMARY



Cornish Game Hens with Garlic and Rosemary image

Crusty garlic bread and a nice light Chianti wine complement this meal very well.

Provided by MOONANDBACK

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Cornish Hen Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 Cornish game hens
salt and pepper to taste
1 lemon, quartered
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
3 tablespoons olive oil
24 cloves garlic
⅓ cup white wine
⅓ cup low-sodium chicken broth
4 sprigs fresh rosemary, for garnish

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
  • Rub hens with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Lightly season hens with salt and pepper. Place 1 lemon wedge and 1 sprig rosemary in cavity of each hen. Arrange in a large, heavy roasting pan, and arrange garlic cloves around hens. Roast in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
  • Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a mixing bowl, whisk together wine, chicken broth, and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil; pour over hens. Continue roasting about 25 minutes longer, or until hens are golden brown and juices run clear. Baste with pan juices every 10 minutes.
  • Transfer hens to a platter, pouring any cavity juices into the roasting pan. Tent hens with aluminum foil to keep warm. Transfer pan juices and garlic cloves to a medium saucepan and boil until liquids reduce to a sauce consistency, about 6 minutes. Cut hens in half lengthwise and arrange on plates. Spoon sauce and garlic around hens. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 814.3 calories, Carbohydrate 9.7 g, Cholesterol 339.7 mg, Fat 57.5 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 59.4 g, SaturatedFat 14.6 g, Sodium 1382.6 mg, Sugar 0.4 g

HERB-ROASTED GAME HENS



Herb-Roasted Game Hens image

These golden Cornish hens, shown at right, are seasoned with basil, sage and thyme for plenty of flavor. They're simple to prepare yet make any occasion seem special. For a fast finish, serve corn bread stuffing and chunky cinnamon applesauce...or roasted cubed potatoes with pepper and carrots plus instant chocolate pudding for dessert.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning

Steps:

  • Place hens, breast side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Spoon over hens. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-60 minutes or a thermometer reads 180°.

Nutrition Facts :

ROASTED GAME HEN WITH ROOT VEGETABLES



Roasted Game Hen with Root Vegetables image

Instead of the usual roast chicken, why not give game hen the oven treatment? It cooks way faster, and the pan juices make a delicious sauce when combined with Dijon, lemon juice, capers, and fresh tarragon.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Healthy Recipes     Gluten-Free Recipes

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 Cornish game hen (1 3/4 pounds), trimmed of excess fat
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3 medium carrots, peeled and quartered lengthwise
1/2 small celery root, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch matchsticks
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, plus more for serving
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons capers in brine, drained and coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees with racks in top and bottom. Place hen, breast-side down, on a work surface. Using kitchen shears, cut along both sides of backbone to remove. Flip over; split lengthwise with a heavy knife. Pat dry; season with salt and pepper. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss vegetables with 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Transfer sheet to bottom rack of oven.
  • In an ovenproof skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high. Add hen, skin-side down; cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Flip; transfer skillet to top rack of oven. Roast, stirring vegetables once, until golden, and a thermometer inserted into thickest part of hen thigh reads 165 degrees, 18 to 20 minutes for hen, and 25 to 28 minutes for vegetables. Transfer hen and vegetables to a platter. Return skillet to medium heat; whisk in mustard, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon water, and capers. Cook until reduced slightly, about 1 minute. Stir in tarragon; spoon over vegetables. Serve, with more mustard.

Tips:

  • Choose the right game hens: Look for hens that are plump and have a healthy sheen to their skin. Avoid hens that have any bruises or discoloration.
  • Prepare the game hens properly: Rinse the hens inside and out with cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Remove any giblets or excess fat.
  • Season the game hens generously: Use a variety of spices and herbs to season the hens, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cumin. You can also add a citrus zest or a splash of wine for extra flavor.
  • Cook the game hens until they are cooked through: The internal temperature of the hens should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can cook the hens in a variety of ways, such as roasting, grilling, or frying.
  • Let the game hens rest before serving: Once the hens are cooked, let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the juices redistribute and make the meat more tender.

Conclusion:

Texas-style game hens are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you are grilling them in the backyard or roasting them in the oven, these hens are sure to be a hit. With a little planning and preparation, you can easily make this dish at home. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting recipe to try, give Texas-style game hens a try. You won't be disappointed!

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