Name: Caribbean Cornish Game Hen
Ingredients: 1 tablespoons canola or other vegetable oil, plus ½ tablespoon more, if needed; 1 Cornish game hen, about 1½ pounds, split with backbone, wing tips, and excess fat removed, blotted dry; Kosher salt or coarse sea salt; Freshly ground black pepper; Grated zest of 1 tangerine or 1 small orange, plus 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed juice; ¾ cup finely chopped onions; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg or mace; 2 tablespoons light rum; ⅓ teaspoon red pepper flakes; Sliced coconut, toasted, for garnish (optional); 1 teaspoon turbinado sugar (optional); Grated zest of 1 lime, 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed juice or more, plus thin lime slices for garnish; 1 small or ½ large very ripe banana, mashed; 1½ tablespoons minced fresh ginger root; ¾ cup full-fat coconut milk; Generous pinch saffron threads, crumbled

Preparation info

Difficulty
Medium

Appears in

Cast-Iron Cooking for Two

By Joanna Pruess

Published 2019

About

For a tropical taste of the Caribbean, try this Cornish game hen simmered in coconut milk with tangerine and lime juices, mashed banana, ginger, red pepper flakes, and saffron. When blended, the sauce becomes mildly spicy (your call on the heat level). Serve over jasmine rice, if desired. A tall pineapple-rum-based drink or even hibiscus iced tea would be an appropriate beverage.