Figgy Piggy Cornish Hens

Ingredients for Figgy Piggy Cornish Hens

• 230g bacon slices, halved

• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced lengthwise

• 4 Cornish hens (about 575g each), halved lengthwise

• 12 thyme sprigs

• 12 fresh black and/or green figs, halved or quartered if large

• 45ml fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 260°C with rack in upper third.

Cook bacon in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-low heat until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Add garlic to skillet and cook, stirring, until golden, about 1 minute. Transfer to paper towels with bacon.

Pat hens dry and season with 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 3/4 teaspoons pepper. Heat fat in skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to smoke. Brown 4 hen halves, skin side down, about 6 minutes. Transfer, skin side up, to a large 4-sided sheet pan. Brown remaining hens, transferring to sheet pan. Reserve skillet.

Scatter thyme and figs over hens, then roast until hens are cooked through, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, deglaze skillet with lemon juice by simmering, stirring and scraping up brown bits, 30 seconds. Pour over roast hens. Scatter bacon and garlic over hens.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.