Slow Cooked Cornish Hen Soup
Nothing better than a tasty nourishing comfort meal to warm up your soul. I love using my crock pot year round from side dishes to desserts and main dishes. I use it a lot more often in the winter months when temperatures dip to create lovely soups like this one right here. How about you, are you a fan of crockpot meals? Do tell.Having a crock pot in the kitchen is a wonderful tool to have especially when you are pressed for time or using it for just about anything. I also enjoy making hot cocoa, brownies and more. There’s less fuss, so much fun and super versatile in creating deliciousness right in the comfort of your own home. Cornish hens are a delightful dinner option and just right for slow cooking. Not only tasty, but it gives the home a wonderful aroma too. They are normally portioned for two and much less cooking time required than a whole chicken. I enjoy making this with fresh herbs, broth, veggies and either potatoes in the pot or rice on on the side. I make this dish quite often and always turns out so darn good. My question for you is what is your favorite slow cooked meal around the colder months? Well, I hope you enjoy this recipe and if you try it out i would love to hear about it. Let’s move onto the recipe.
SERVES: 2
INGREDIENTS:
2 tbsp olive oil
4-6 sliced unsalted butter (optional)
2 Cornish hens, whole
3-4 carrots, skimmed and chopped
1 onion, medium, skinned and chopped
3 celery stalks, rinsed and chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 cup chicken broth, organic, low sodium
1-2 cup filtered water
handful, baby potatoes, quartered
handful, fresh parsley
1 tsp dried oregano
2 bay leafs
dash, sea salt, to taste
dash, black pepper, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
firstly, rinse and clean the hens. Let pat dry to remove excess liquid. On a disinfectant and flat surface, lightly rub the hen with olive oil, sprinkle black pepper and salt on both sides. Then, under the lining of the skin place thin slices of butter. Set aside.
In the crock pot, place all veggies, potatoes, and herbs on the bottom. You may also saute the veggies before placing in the pot for elevated flavoring. Next, place the hens over the bed of veggie mixture. Add in the water and stock. Add in the seasonings to the pot. Cover.
Set the crock pot on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4 hours. An hour prior to completion, taste and flavor if needed. When ready for consumption, serve immediately and place in decorative bowls. And voila! A no fuss and nutritious meal for all to enjoy.
NUTRITIONAL CONTENT: calories 245; total fat 0.6g; sodium 205mg; potassium 1100mg; total carbohydrates 43g; dietary fiber 8.4g; sugars 9g; protein 7.6g. This meal is very low in saturated fat and cholesterol, high in dietary fiber, potassium and vitamin B6 and very high in manganese, vitamin C and A.