Deep Fried Game Hens???

[sawhorseray]

After moving to AZ five months ago I got around to uncovering my boat in the garage today. There sat my turkey fryer and iron propane stove, haven't touched it in maybe 13 years since I retired. insomnia strikes as I'm laying in bed thinking about doing some game hens in the fryer. Anybody ever do hens in a turkey fryer with 350º peanut oil? How long to they take? RAY

 

[kelbro]

I almost did some last weekend in my infrared 'fryer' but ended up smoking them. They do cook quickly. Probably quicker than the time that it takes to heat up the oil. They are tasty little birds though!

 

[tropics]

Ray that sounds like it would be a great way to do them. I've heard of people doing Quail
Good Luck
Richie

 

[chilerelleno]

Minimum oil temp 350°
8-10 minutes
Recommended oil temp 375°
6-8 minutes
Minimum 165° IT in the breast.

Basically it's 4-5 minutes per pound at 350°, and 3-4 minutes at 375°

For safety,
do not overfill with oil and
ensure birds are completely thawed and are dry.

EDIT: Oops, initially used 4lb chicken cooking times.
Times have been corrected.

 

[SmokinAl]

Well there you go!
Thanks Chili!
Al

 

[Hawging It]

Amazing color on the bird. Very nice!

 

[sawhorseray]

Minimum oil temp 350°
8-10 minutes
Recommended oil temp 375°
6-8 minutes
Minimum 165° IT in the breast.

Basically it's 4-5 minutes or pound at 350°, and 3-4 minutes at 375° For safety, do not overfill with oil and ensure birds are completely thawed and are dry.
EDIT: Oops, initially used 4lb chicken cooking times. Times have been corrected.

After I was no longer fit to be a carpenter I became a bid coordinator for a large construction company. Another guy and I would have four turkey fryers going and a 55 gallon drum BBQ to feed 110 union carpenters and laborers every Christmas, boss was a great man. Always ran the oil at 350º and did a dozen birds at three and a half minutes a pound, they always came out perfect. I'm thinking you're right on the money at 9-10 minutes Chile, thanks! I'm thinking we ran the oil at 350º so as not to burn it up before we got three birds out of each pot, I remember we were using veg or canola oil, not peanut.. We cooked sausages on the drum Q, those guys could throw some chow down.

 

[chopsaw]

Another guy and I would have four turkey fryers going and a 55 gallon drum BBQ to feed 110 union carpenters and laborers every Christmas, boss was a great man.

I worked 30 years for the wrong contractor .

Try the peanut oil . More money but worth it in my opinion .

 

[sawhorseray]

I worked 30 years for the wrong contractor . Try the peanut oil . More money but worth it in my opinion .

I agree Chop! I've used it a few times in the past and like the slight peanut flavor it imparts on the bird. I can remember doing some chickens and yams on my fryer at deer camp, now I've got fried game hens in my head. Got a itch, gonna need to scratch it. RAY

 

[zwiller]

What a great idea and I'm stealing it. Buy a boat to store more toys in!

PS check for spiders/blow out the lines with that long of a rest. Not sure if you plan to but injecting TonyC is a must in my book for fried bird.

 

[sawhorseray]

I need to syphon out and dump the gas that's in it too! We went and checked our Lance camper yesterday for the first time in a few months, no stink and the solar panel had the batts charged to 100%. I'll be up early next week to make camping reservations at Flaming Gorge in Wyoming for next June, best kokanee fishing on the planet. Bob loves fish/camp! RAY

 

[HalfSmoked]

Yup here we go again the nice part of this forum you have a question you ask and you will get the answer or at least an honest a option.

Warren

 

[Bearcarver]

Now you're bringing back some feathery memories, but I don't think we had the same kind of birds you have.
We have:
Turkeys----Lots of them.
Pheasants----A Few.
Grouse----A Few.
Doves----Lots of them.
Ducks----Some.
Geese----Depends on season.
That's about it, unless you like Crows & Buzzards.

Bear

 

[HalfSmoked]

Thanks for the like zwiller it is appreciated.

Warren

 

[HalfSmoked]

I think what he is referring to as game birds are Cornish Hens market raised like the fryers except they are a small bird.

Warren

 

[chilerelleno]

Yeah, a Cornish Game Hen is just a young chicken.
Industry standard is 1.25lbs but range from 1-2lbs.
They're a proven money making gimmick.