Grilled Cornish Game Hens with Lemon, Sumac, and Date Relish

Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Health score
17%
Grilled Cornish Game Hens with Lemon, Sumac, and Date Relish
45 min.
8
829kcal

Suggestions


Get ready to elevate your dinner game with these delicious Grilled Cornish Game Hens infused with the vibrant flavors of lemon, sumac, and a mouthwatering date relish. Perfectly suited for lunch or dinner, this dish is not only gluten-free and dairy-free, but it also promises to be a showstopper at your next gathering. With succulent meat, crispy skin, and an irresistible citrusy aroma, these hens are a delightful treat for both everyday meals and special occasions.

The brining process ensures that each hen is full of flavor and incredibly tender, while the aromatic dressing, enriched with garlic and sumac, adds a zesty punch that tantalizes the palate. The colorful addition of lemon slices under the skin not only enhances the presentation but also infuses the meat with refreshing citrus notes as it grills to perfection. Served alongside a sweet and savory date relish, this main dish is guaranteed to impress even the pickiest eaters.

Ready in just 45 minutes, it's the perfect recipe for those who enjoy cooking without spending all day in the kitchen. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or looking for a unique family meal, these grilled Cornish game hens will become a new favorite. Gather your loved ones, fire up the grill, and savor the delightful flavors that this enticing recipe brings to the table!

Ingredients

  • 0.5 cup coarse kosher salt 
  • 6.3 pound cornish game hens 
  • servings date relish 
  •  garlic cloves peeled
  • tablespoons ground sumac 
  • 10 slices optional: lemon very thin
  • cup juice of lemon fresh divided
  • 0.5 cup olive oil 
  • cups water 

Equipment

  • bowl
  • baking sheet
  • paper towels
  • whisk
  • pot
  • grill

Directions

  1. Combine 9 cups water, 1/2 cup lemon juice,and coarse salt in large nonreactive pot.Stir until salt dissolves.
  2. Add hen halves andpress to submerge. Refrigerate hens in brine,weighing down with heavy plate if needed,at least 6 hours and up to 1 day.
  3. Whisk 1/2 cup lemon juice, oil, and sumacin medium bowl. Press in garlic cloves; seasonwith pepper.
  4. Let dressing stand 15 minutes tothicken slightly, whisking occasionally.
  5. Drain hens. Pat dry with paper towels;arrange on large rimmed baking sheet. Usingfingertips, loosen skin of breast meat on eachhen half.
  6. Brush some dressing under skinonto breast meat of each hen; place lemonslice onto breast meat and pull skin over tocover.
  7. Brush hens all over with remainingdressing. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hoursahead.
  8. Let stand at room temperature.
  9. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat).
  10. Place hens, skin side up, on grill rack. Coverand grill until bottom sides are brown, about8 minutes. Turn hens over; grill uncovereduntil skin sides brown, about 6 minutes.Continue to grill until hens are cookedthrough, turning occasionally, about 9 minuteslonger.
  11. Transfer hens to platter.
  12. Serve with
  13. Date Relish.
  14. *Ground, dried, reddish-purple berriesthat grow wild throughout the Middle East;available at specialty foods stores and Middle
  15. Eastern markets.

Nutrition Facts

Calories829kcal
Protein29.99%
Fat57.43%
Carbs12.58%

Properties

Glycemic Index
13.44
Glycemic Load
10.74
Inflammation Score
-5
Nutrition Score
24.637826069542%

Flavonoids

Cyanidin
0.51mg
Eriodictyol
3.36mg
Hesperetin
6.85mg
Naringenin
0.47mg
Apigenin
0.01mg
Luteolin
0.18mg
Kaempferol
0.01mg
Myricetin
0.07mg
Quercetin
0.52mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:828.69kcal
41.43%
Fat:52.61g
80.93%
Saturated Fat:14.18g
88.65%
Carbohydrates:25.92g
8.64%
Net Carbohydrates:23.15g
8.42%
Sugar:20.02g
22.25%
Cholesterol:357.91mg
119.3%
Sodium:7304.2mg
317.57%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:61.81g
123.62%
Vitamin B3:20.54mg
102.69%
Selenium:43.01µg
61.45%
Vitamin B6:1.13mg
56.73%
Phosphorus:520.85mg
52.09%
Vitamin B2:0.63mg
37.07%
Potassium:1084.1mg
30.97%
Zinc:4.24mg
28.3%
Vitamin B5:2.4mg
24%
Vitamin C:18.8mg
22.79%
Magnesium:82.44mg
20.61%
Vitamin B12:1.17µg
19.49%
Vitamin B1:0.29mg
19.21%
Iron:3.25mg
18.04%
Copper:0.3mg
14.81%
Fiber:2.77g
11.07%
Vitamin K:10.97µg
10.44%
Vitamin E:1.46mg
9.71%
Manganese:0.18mg
9.25%
Vitamin A:389.61IU
7.79%
Calcium:69.89mg
6.99%
Folate:23.44µg
5.86%
Source:Epicurious