Spicy Broiled Game Hens

Spicy Broiled Game Hens

- this recipe is adapted from the Spicy Broiled Quail recipe I found in "The Book of Greek Cooking" by Lesley Mackley

Ingredients:

2 garlic cloves
salt
1 Tablespoon each of ground cumin and coriander
1 small onion, cut into rough chunks
a handful of fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1/2 cup of good olive oil
4 game hens (cut in half) (1/2 a hen is about enough for one person)
2 - 3 lemons cut into slices for garnish

Directions:

1. Put the first 7 ingredients into a food processor and make a paste. Spread the paste over the game hens (top and bottom). Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

2. Preheat the broiler.

3. Place the game hen halves on a broiler rack or baking rack and broil, turning every 5 minutes for about 20 minutes until the game hens are slightly charred on the outside.

4. If they're not fully cooked, put them in the oven to bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the juice runs clear when pierced. (Or you can pull back one of the legs to check if there's any pink left.)

5. Serve garnished with lemon slices.