Cornish Hens With Shiitake And Watercress Cornish Game Hen Recipes

Ingredients

1/2 lb. shiitake mushrooms

6 sprig cilantro

2 tbsp. Chopped cilantro

4 dried sliced porcini mushrooms

2 clove garlic

2 bay leaves

2 tbsp. soy sauce

1 scallion

1 tsp. whole black peppercorns

2 Cornish hens

2 bunch watercress

2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

1 tsp. Asian sesame oil

Preparation

Step 1Pour 1 1/2 inches of water into a large, wide pot. Make 4 foil balls 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Set a large cake rack on the foil balls in the pot. Bring the water to a boil.Step 2Tear off two 18-inch-long sheets of extra-heavy-duty foil. Mound half of the shiitake caps, cilantro sprigs, porcini, garlic, bay leaves, soy sauce, scallion and peppercorns in the center of each piece of foil. Set 2 hen halves on top, fold up the foil edges and seal.Step 3Carefully set the packages on the cake rack over the boiling water, cover and steam over moderate heat for 40 minutes. Transfer the packages to a large rimmed platter.Step 4Spread the watercress on a large heatproof plate. Set on the cake rack, cover and steam for 4 minutes. Open the packages carefully. Remove the skin from the hens and transfer them to warmed shallow bowls. Stir 1 teaspoon of the lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon of the sesame oil into each package, then spoon the mushrooms and sauce into the bowls. Sprinkle with the chopped cilantro and serve.