Spatchcocked and Roasted Cornish Game Hen with Green Mojo and Mashed Citrus Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Spatchcocked and Roasted Cornish Game Hen with Green Mojo and Mashed Citrus Sweet Potatoes

• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Yield: 1 serving
• Nutritional Information Per Serving: Serving Size: 1 of 1 servings; Calories: 1101; Total Fat: 68 g; Saturated Fat: 10 g; Carbohydrates: 127 g; Dietary Fiber: 20 g; Sugars: 52 g; Protein: 13 g; Cholesterol: 4 mg; Sodium: 1881 mg
• Total Time: 1 hr 40 min
• Active Time: 40 min

Ingredients for Roasted Cornish Game Hen:

• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 Cornish game hen, spatchcocked
• Olive oil, for drizzling

Ingredients for Green Mojo:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro tops (about 1 packed cup)
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 serrano pepper, seeded
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Ingredients for Mashed Citrus Sweet Potatoes:

• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1/2 cup chicken stock, plus extra if needed
• 1 to 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• Zest and juice of 1 small orange, such as Cara Cara
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

For the Cornish Game Hen:

1. Preheat your oven to 400F and position a wire rack on a baking tray.
2. Lightly toast coriander and cumin seeds in a small pan over medium heat until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Grind them using a spice grinder. Mix half of this ground spice blend with garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl. Reserve the other half for the Green Mojo Sauce.
3. Pat the hen dry with paper towels and coat all sides with the prepared seasoning. Drizzle olive oil over the hen and place it skin-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 35 to 45 minutes, until fully cooked and golden brown. Once finished, slice the hen in half.

For the Green Mojo Sauce:

1. In a high-powered blender, combine the olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, serrano pepper, and the reserved ground coriander and cumin seeds. Blend until smooth and vibrantly green. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Drizzle this vibrant sauce over the roasted hen and serve alongside the mashed citrus sweet potatoes.

For Mashed Citrus Sweet Potatoes:

1. Place the peeled and diced sweet potatoes in a medium pot and cover with water by about one inch. Bring to a boil over high heat and season with salt. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until tender.
2. Drain the potatoes thoroughly and return them to the pot to dry slightly. Mash directly in the pot.
3. Stir in the chicken stock, honey, thyme, lemon zest and juice, and orange zest and juice. Add more chicken stock as needed to reach your desired consistency.
4. Season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.