Cinnamon roasted hens

Cinnamon Roasted Hens Recipe - A Delicious and Spicy Dish

Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 35 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Cinnamon roasted hens are a flavorful and aromatic dish that is perfect for a special dinner or holiday meal. The combination of spices and herbs creates a unique and delicious flavor profile that will impress your guests.

History

This recipe draws inspiration from Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, where the use of spices like cinnamon, saffron, and curry powder is common in savory dishes. The addition of lime juice adds a bright and citrusy flavor to the dish, balancing out the richness of the spices.

Ingredients

1 lime, juiced and pulp
1 tbsp minced ginger root
0.25 tbsp crushed saffron threads
0.5 tbsp dried dill
0.25 tbsp curry powder
3 cloves garlic, mashed
2 allspice berries, crushed
0.5 tbsp dried summer savory
0.5 tbsp ground cinnamon
2 cornish hens, halved

How to prepare

Combine the lime juice, plup, garlic, ginger, allspice, saffron, savory, dill, cinnamon, and curry powder in a large baking dish. Add the hens to the dish and rub them well with the spice mixture. Cover the dish, refrigerate it, and let the hens marinate overnight. Place the hens, skin side up, on an oiled roasting rack. Bake them at 375°F (191°C) for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the skin is browned and the meat is cooked through when tested with a fork. The juices should run clear. Each serving (without skin) contains 203 calories, 35.3 g of protein, 5.1 g of fat (23%), 114 mg of cholesterol, 127 mg of sodium, 0.5 mg of vitamin B6, and 11.5 mg of niacin.

Variations

Substitute the cornish hens with chicken thighs or drumsticks for a more budget-friendly option.
Add chopped nuts or dried fruits to the spice mixture for added texture and flavor.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to marinate the hens overnight to allow the flavors to fully develop.

- Roast the hens on a rack to ensure that they cook evenly and the skin gets crispy.

- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness - the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).

Serving Suggestions

Serve the cinnamon roasted hens with a side of roasted vegetables and couscous for a complete meal.

Cooking Techniques

Roasting

Ingredient Substitutions

Use lemon juice instead of lime juice.

- Substitute ground ginger for minced ginger root.

Make Ahead Tips

You can marinate the hens up to 24 hours in advance to save time on the day of cooking.

Presentation Ideas

Garnish the cinnamon roasted hens with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for a pop of color.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair the cinnamon roasted hens with a glass of white wine or a light beer to complement the spices in the dish.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (177°C) until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of cinnamon roasted hens contains approximately 203 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of cinnamon roasted hens contains approximately 2 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of cinnamon roasted hens contains approximately 5.1 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of cinnamon roasted hens contains approximately 35.3 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Cinnamon roasted hens are a good source of vitamin B6 and niacin.

Alergens

This recipe contains garlic and may not be suitable for those with garlic allergies.

Summary

Cinnamon roasted hens are a high-protein dish that is relatively low in carbohydrates and fats. They are a good source of vitamin B6 and niacin.

Summary

Cinnamon roasted hens are a delicious and aromatic dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The combination of spices and herbs creates a unique flavor profile that will impress your guests. Enjoy this flavorful dish with a side of roasted vegetables and couscous for a complete meal.

How did I get this recipe?

The moment I found this recipe is one that will always be special to me. It was a sunny Saturday morning, and I was rummaging through a box of old cookbooks that I had inherited from my mother. As I flipped through the pages, a faded piece of paper fell out and fluttered to the ground. Curious, I picked it up and saw that it was a handwritten recipe for Cinnamon Roasted Hens.

I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me as I remembered my mother making this dish when I was a little girl. The sweet and spicy aroma of cinnamon and roasted chicken filled the kitchen, and I could almost taste the tender meat melting in my mouth. I knew that I had to recreate this dish and share it with my own family.

The recipe was simple, but the flavors were complex. I gathered all the ingredients I needed - hens, cinnamon, garlic, lemon, olive oil, and a few secret spices that were listed on the paper. I carefully followed the instructions, marinating the hens in a fragrant mixture of cinnamon, garlic, and lemon juice. As I worked, memories of my mother and grandmother teaching me how to cook flooded my mind.

My mother was an incredible cook. She could turn the most simple ingredients into a feast fit for a king. She taught me the importance of using fresh, quality ingredients and the value of patience and love in the kitchen. I remember watching her as a child, mesmerized by the way she wielded a knife and stirred a pot with such grace and confidence.

My grandmother was no slouch in the kitchen either. She had a wealth of recipes that had been passed down through generations. Her cinnamon roasted hens were legendary in our family, and whenever she made them, the whole house would be filled with the warm, comforting scent of cinnamon and spice.

As the hens roasted in the oven, I set the table with my best china and silverware. I wanted to create a special meal for my family, just like my mother and grandmother had done for me. When the timer finally beeped, I pulled the hens out of the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

The moment I took my first bite, I knew that I had succeeded. The meat was tender and juicy, with a subtle hint of cinnamon and spice that danced on my taste buds. My husband and children dug in eagerly, their eyes widening in delight as they tasted the flavors of my childhood.

As we ate, we laughed and talked, sharing stories and memories of our own. The cinnamon roasted hens had brought us together in a way that only food can. It was a simple dish, but it carried with it the weight of generations of love and tradition.

In that moment, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for my mother and grandmother, who had passed down their knowledge and recipes to me. I realized that cooking was more than just following a recipe - it was a way to connect with my past and create new memories with my family.

As the last crumbs of cinnamon roasted hens disappeared from our plates, I knew that this recipe would become a staple in our home. It was a dish that held the power to bring us together, to nourish our bodies and souls, and to keep alive the memories of those who had come before us.

And so, as I washed the dishes and tidied up the kitchen, I whispered a silent thank you to my mother and grandmother for teaching me how to cook with love and for passing down the recipe for cinnamon roasted hens. It was a gift that I would cherish for the rest of my days.