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Savor the flavors of the Mediterranean with this simple yet elegant dish. Juicy Cornish hens seasoned with zaatar and lemon, roasted alongside golden potatoes and sweet cipollini onions. Perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion.
Type of Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Prep Time: 15 minutes.
Cook Time: 50 minutes
How Many Servings?
4 servings
Ingredients:
1X
2X
3X
Adjust Servings
| 2 Cornish hens, halved, washed, and patted dry | |
| 3 tablespoons olive oil | |
| 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (reserve ¼ cup for later) | |
| 3 tablespoons zaatar (reserve 1 tablespoon for later) | |
| 1 1/2 tablespoons sumac (reserve ½ tablespoon for later) | |
| 8 cloves garlic, minced (adjust to taste) | |
| Salt and pepper to taste | |
| 8 oz cipollini onions, peeled (or substitute) | |
| 1 lb small golden potatoes, cut lengthwise into halves | |
| 1 cup water |
For the Final Drizzle:
| 1/4 cup reserved fresh lemon juice | |
| 1 tablespoon olive oil |
Garnish:
| 1 tablespoon reserved zaatar | |
| 1/2 tablespoon reserved sumac |
Preparation
1
Prepare the Marinade:
In a large bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of olive oil, ½ cup of lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of zaatar, 1 ½ tablespoons of sumac, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create the marinade. (Optional) For deeper flavor, marinate the Cornish hens in half of the marinade mixture overnight or for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator. Reserve the remaining marinade for the vegetables.
In a large bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of olive oil, ½ cup of lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of zaatar, 1 ½ tablespoons of sumac, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create the marinade. (Optional) For deeper flavor, marinate the Cornish hens in half of the marinade mixture overnight or for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator. Reserve the remaining marinade for the vegetables.
2
Arrange the Hens and Vegetables
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large baking tray, arrange the Cornish hens and scatter the potatoes and onions around them. If you marinated the hens, place them directly from the marinade onto the tray. Otherwise, pour the reserved marinade evenly over the hens and vegetables, ensuring both sides of the hens are well-coated. Add Water: Carefully pour 1 cup of water into the side of the baking tray. This helps to create a moist environment, preventing the hens and vegetables from drying out.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large baking tray, arrange the Cornish hens and scatter the potatoes and onions around them. If you marinated the hens, place them directly from the marinade onto the tray. Otherwise, pour the reserved marinade evenly over the hens and vegetables, ensuring both sides of the hens are well-coated. Add Water: Carefully pour 1 cup of water into the side of the baking tray. This helps to create a moist environment, preventing the hens and vegetables from drying out.
3
Cover and Roast:
Cover the tray with foil and roast in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. The foil helps to lock in moisture and flavor as the ingredients cook together. Uncover and Finish Cooking: Remove the foil and continue roasting for another 10 minutes, or until the hens' skin is golden and crispy and the vegetables are tender. For extra crispiness, switch the oven to broil and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the desired crispiness is achieved.
Cover the tray with foil and roast in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. The foil helps to lock in moisture and flavor as the ingredients cook together. Uncover and Finish Cooking: Remove the foil and continue roasting for another 10 minutes, or until the hens' skin is golden and crispy and the vegetables are tender. For extra crispiness, switch the oven to broil and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the desired crispiness is achieved.
4
Final Drizzle:
In the last few minutes of cooking, mix the reserved ¼ cup of lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and drizzle over the hens and vegetables. This adds a final burst of flavor. Rest and Serve: Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your hens are moist and flavorful. Garnish and Enjoy: Sprinkle the dish with the reserved tablespoon of zaatar and ½ tablespoon of sumac before serving. Serve hot with your preferred side dish for a complete Mediterranean meal.
In the last few minutes of cooking, mix the reserved ¼ cup of lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and drizzle over the hens and vegetables. This adds a final burst of flavor. Rest and Serve: Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your hens are moist and flavorful. Garnish and Enjoy: Sprinkle the dish with the reserved tablespoon of zaatar and ½ tablespoon of sumac before serving. Serve hot with your preferred side dish for a complete Mediterranean meal.