Deep-Fried Cornish Game Hens

Name: Deep-Fried Cornish Game Hens
Ingredients: 2 (3/4 lb) Cornish hens; to taste vegetable shortening (for deep-frying); to taste oil (for deep-frying); to taste salt; to taste pepper, freshly ground; to taste lemon, wedges (for serving)

6 ingredients

6 steps

Ingredients

2 (3/4 lb) Cornish hens
to taste vegetable shortening (for deep-frying)
to taste oil (for deep-frying)
to taste salt
to taste pepper, freshly ground
to taste lemon, wedges (for serving)

Directions

1

Don't fill your stockpot more than half full with shortening/oil, to allow for the inevitable boiling up when the hens are added.
2

Also, be sure the hens are at room temperature so the fat temperature doesn't drop dramatically from the shock of an ice-cold bird.
3

Rinse the hens and pat completely dry, inside and out, with paper towels. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
4

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Place a large wire cake rack over a jelly roll pan/cookie sheet.
5

In a stockpot, melt vegetable shortening over high heat to a depth of 2 to 3 inches and heat it to 375 degrees F.
6

Carefully put 1 Cornish hen in the hot shortening. Deep fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown.