Soy-braised cornish hens

4 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
3 tablespoons Soybean or corn oil
2 Scallions cut in 1\" pieces
3 Garlic clove(s), smashed
1 2\" piece ginger cut in 1/8\" slices
3 Star anise
1 teaspoon Szechwan peppercorns
1 cup Soy sauce
½ cup Sake or dry sherry
1 tablespoon Sugar
4 Cornish hens (1 lb ea)

Directions

1. Heat oil in large enameled cast-iron casserole. Add scallions, garlic, ginger, star anise and Szechwan peppercorns and cook over moderately high heat until fragrant and vegetables are golden, about 5 minutes. Add soy sauce, sake or dry sherry, sugar, and 1 cup of water and simmer gently for 10 minutes.

2. Add hens to casserole, breast sides up. Cover, reduce heat to moderately low, and simmer, turning hens every 10 minutes, until the juices run clear when a thigh is pierced with a fork, about 40 minutes. Remove from heat and let hens stand covered for 10 minutes.

Transfer hens to a platter; loosely cover with foil and keep warm.

Strain braising liquid and skim off fat.

3. Serve with Coconut-Pineapple Sweet Rice and a little of the soy braising liquid.

Source: Susanna Foo Chinese Cuisine in Philadelphia Food and Wine March 1995

Submitted By DIANE LAZARUS On 02-23-95

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