how to brine a cornish hen

Introduction to Brining Cornish Hens

Brining is a process that involves soaking meat in a saltwater solution, which can help to marinate and tenderize it. This technique is particularly useful for lean meats like Cornish hens, as it helps to keep them moist during the cooking process. Let’s go through a basic step-by-step guide on how to brine Cornish hens for a juicy, flavorful meal.

Ingredients and Tools You Will Need

• Fresh or thawed Cornish hens
• Water
• Kosher salt
• Sugar (optional but recommended)
• Herbs and spices of your choice (garlic, peppercorns, thyme, rosemary, etc.)
• Large pot or container
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Refrigerator space

Step 1: Prepare the Brine Solution

To start, you’ll need to create your brine solution. The basic ratio is one-quarter cup of kosher salt for every quart of water. For sweetness, adding sugar is recommended at the same ratio as salt. Here’s how:

1. Measure the appropriate amount of water to fully submerge your Cornish hens in a pot or container. A good rule of thumb is to use 1 quart (4 cups) of water per Cornish hen.
2. Add kosher salt and sugar in the stated ratio to the water.
3. Add your chosen herbs and spices.
4. Bring the mixture to a simmer and stir until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
5. Remove the brine from the heat and allow it to cool completely to room temperature. This can be hastened by adding ice cubes if necessary.

Step 2: Brine the Cornish Hens

Once your brine is cool, you can add your Cornish hens:

1. Rinse the Cornish hens under cool water, and pat them dry with paper towels.
2. If the brine solution is in a pot, carefully place your Cornish hens into the brine. Alternatively, if using a container, pour the brine into the container with the hens.
3. Make sure that the hens are completely submerged. If necessary, place a plate or other weight on top to keep them submerged.
4. Cover the pot or container and place it in the refrigerator. The brining process for Cornish hens typically takes between 1 to 3 hours. Avoid brining for too long, or the meat can become too salty.

Step 3: Remove Hens from Brine and Cook

After brining your Cornish hens, you’ll need to prepare them for cooking:

1. When the brining time is up, remove the hens from the brine and rinse them under cold water to remove excess salt.
2. Pat them dry with paper towels. This is important for the skin to become crispy when cooked.
3. Cook the Cornish hens according to your preferred method, whether it’s roasting, grilling, or broiling. No additional salt is usually needed since the brine has already seasoned the meat.

Additional Tips

Here are a few tips to make sure your brined Cornish hens turn out perfectly:

• To enhance flavor, consider adding aromatics to the brine such as bay leaves, cloves, allspice berries, and slices of citrus fruits.
• If space is limited, use a brining bag designed for poultry and place it in a pan to catch any leaks.
• For safety, ensure the brining hens maintain a temperature below 40°F (4°C) throughout the brining process.
• Do not reuse brine; discard it after use as it contains raw juices which could harbor bacteria.

By following these steps, you will have beautifully brined Cornish hens ready for cooking that are sure to be tender, juicy, and full of flavor.