Cornish Game Hens Spinning on the Kettle!

[texomakid]

I decided to give the Cornish Game Hens a try on Saturday night. They were frozen and I wanted to cook 'em on Sunday so I decided to kill 2 birds with one stone .......... Why not thaw them out in a wet brine? Seemed logical so let's give it a try.

1 1/2 gals water
1/2 cup course kosher salt
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 TBS Heath Riles Pecan Rub

Left them in the fridge to soak all night. Next morning I pulled them out and dried the outside the best I could and sat them back in the fridge for about 6 hours.

Fired up the Kettle with some B&B briquettes and onto the spinner they go!
Used some chunks of cherry with a few chips of pecan & mesquite.

I basted them with a compound of butter & Kinders buttery garlic seasoning.

About 50 minutes total time on the spinner.
Money Shot!

These were incredible!!!!!! Wow!

I'm blow away by how good this was. I'd only had them once before and that was a poor boy Thanksgiving back in 1982. I won't wait as long to have this again.

Hope everyone has an awesome week! Smoke 'em if you got 'em!

 

[SmokinEdge]

They have gotten kinda pricey for what they are but we have eaten a pile of those Cornish hens over the years, very tasty.

 

[texomakid]

They have gotten kinda pricey for what they are but we have eaten a pile of those Cornish hens over the years, very tasty.

$4 per bird as Walmart.

 

[DRKsmoking]

Great looking spun birds Randy.
I also love to pound the pepper to my spuds , especialy if no gravy

Love a nice brined chicken/bird , for a tasty and juicy meal.

Have not had the single serve birds for many years,

David

 

[DRKsmoking]

$4 per bird as Walmart.

Triple that at least, around here.

David

 

[yankee2bbq]

Looks good!

 

[mneeley490]

Triple that at least, around here.

David

Usually around $5-$6 here. For that price, I could get a large chicken.

 

[DRKsmoking]

Usually around $5-$6 here. For that price, I could get a large chicken.

Exactly, that is why it is not on our menu . Might as well just get a reg, bird.
If I was doing what you did as individual meal birds I would buy them and make it like a special meal, or like for a throwdown or something I would spend the extra money.

I wish they were more econamical, as I would like to do up special meals with them.

But when our reg chickens are on sale they are around the $5-$6 range, so thts what we get.

David

 

[civilsmoker]

We love game hens in our hours and those look excellent!

 

[disco]

Wow! They look great. Love the skin colour.

 

[JLeonard]

looks good to me!

Jim

 

[luvcatchingbass]

Exactly, that is why it is not on our menu . Might as well just get a reg, bird.
If I was doing what you did as individual meal birds I would buy them and make it like a special meal, or like for a throwdown or something I would spend the extra money.

I wish they were more econamical, as I would like to do up special meals with them.

But when our reg chickens are on sale they are around the $5-$6 range, so thts what we get.

David

Been a while since I looked at them but I feel like they are in that $6 + range and last time I was thinking they would be a cheap fun cook I turned around and grabbed some bone in chicken quarters for less money.
That being said well done @texomakid . I guess the prices we pay for different things is relative and sometimes a little splurge for something different for one person is either overpriced to another or being a budget minded to another

 

[chopsaw]

Looks great bud !

 

[Gonna Smoke]

Back in those days, we ate them a lot, but they've gotten a little too expensive now. Haven't had one in quite a few years.

Yours sure do look good, though...

 

[Winterrider]

Yep use to get them for $2.49 on a regular bases until the little hidden secret got out. My Gma had them for many many years on Thanksgiving for 12 of us. It was just cool to have your own bird.

@texomakid , congrats on the carousel ride !

 

[sawhorseray]

WELL DONE RANDY, GRATS ON THE RIDE!

 

[JLinza]

Looks great

 

[texomakid]

The leftovers were just as good for lunch yesterday. I hate that the focus became the high price of game hens because these will probably show up on my table again and soon.

Y'all have a great day!

 

[DRKsmoking]

I hate that the focus became the high price of game hens because these will probably show up on my table again and soon.

Sorry Randy about the sideline of the post to the price of the hens.

Because your plate was a great looking meal, and always love birds on a spinner.

As I did mention that it was a great meal and loved the spuds and pepper.

David

 

[texomakid]

Thanks David I appreciate the kind words. It's obvious that they're are several members & moderators that would prefer that I not be a part of this community and to be honest, this place is becoming extremely toxic if you're not in the "click". I appreciate what I've learned from this forum but I also know when I'm not wanted. Dad always said "a smart bird knows when to fly". I've encountered and interacted with a lot of really good, kind people here. Some still here, other who used to post & some were really great contributors in this forum but they don't come here any more. I didn't know where they went. I really noticed it when I took about a year away and came back. So many people had left during that time and not all of them died. My guess is they left for the same reasons.

I wish the best to everyone here and I do appreciate many of you for your kindness, guidance, and encouraging words. I'll catch you guys down the road
Enjoy life and seek happiness.