Game Hens With Cardamom and Oregano

Submitted by IngridH

"From the book "Artichoke to Za'atar". Posted for ZWT6. Time does not include 4 - 8 hours marinating time."

 

• Ready In: 35mins
• Ingredients: 7
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 18 cardamom pods
• 3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 14.79 ml salt
• 29.58 ml oregano, fresh or 9.85 ml dried oregano
• 78.78 ml olive oil
• 4 Cornish hens, butterflied (3/4 to 1 pound each)
• fresh ground black pepper

directions

1. Pound the cardamom pods to loosen the husks. Use a mortar and pestle to pound the seeds, releasing their flavor. Add the garlic, salt, and oregano; and continue to pound until the ingredients are well mixed.
2. Add 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and continue to crush until you have a smooth paste.
3. Rub 3/4 of the paste over the hens, making sure you cover all of their surfaces.
4. Mix the remaining paste with the remaining olive oil, and pour over the birds, reserving a little bit to baste with while grilling.
5. Cover and marinate for at least four and up to eight hours, turning occasionally.
6. Preheat a grill to high.
7. Season the birds with plenty of pepper, then place on the grill and sear being careful of flare-ups, until the skin is golden.
8. Move the birds to indirect heat, and grill until completely cooked, basting with the reserved marinate during the last few minutes of cooking.

Reviews

[ellie_]

Very good -- I only marinated for a little over an hour though -- enjoyed the cornish hens. Tender and juicy. Thanks for sharing!