Maple Mustard Game Hens

1. 1

   Use a sharp chef's knife or kitchen shears to cut the backbone and rib cage from the birds.

2. 2

   Starting just to one side of the tail, cut all the way to the other end, right beside the backbone.

3. 3

   Repeat on the other side.

4. 4

   You will now have removed the backbone and the hen will lie more or less flat.

5. 5

   This makes it easy to see the fans of the rib bones.

6. 6

   Remove them, too.

7. 7

   Wipe the meat with a damp paper towel and set the hens aside.

8. 8

   Put the mustard in a small bowl.

9. 9

   Beat in the lemon juice with a wire whisk, then beat in first the oil, then the maple syrup.

10. 10

    Sprinkle the peppercorns, bay leaf and garlic in a shallow noncorrodible pan or bowl just large enough to hold the flattened hens in a single layer.

11. 11

    Pour in about a quarter of the marinade.

12. 12

    Add the meat, cut side down, and pour the remaining marinade over it.

13. 13

    Cover tightly and refrigerate for 1 day (or at least a few hours), turning from time to time.

14. 14

    Remove the meat from the refrigerator about 1 hour before cooking.

15. 15

    At cooking time, move the rack so the hens will be in the upper third of the oven; preheat oven to 400F (200C).

16. 16

    Drain excess marinade from the hens and arrange them, cut side down, in a shallow noncorrodible roasting pan.

17. 17

    Roast for 20 minutes, baste, raise the heat to 425F and roast for about 20 minutes more.

18. 18

    Do not turn the meat, which should be well browned by the end of the cooking time.

19. 19

    Serve garnished with the watercress.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.