Herb crusted Cornish Hen

Ingredients
1 2 lb cornish hen


For the Brine
2 cups of veg broth
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp cloves
4 bay leaves
1 cup salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 jamaican pepper

Marinade 
1 tbsp dijon mustard
1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp rosemary
1/4 tsp thyme leaves
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp garlic paste
1 tsp oil

Method


Brining
Mix all the ingredients for the brine and boil.
Simmer for 15 mins
Let the mix cool to room temperature and then refrigerate

Immerse thawed hen in the brine and add more ice cold water
Refrigerate for 3 hours

Marination
Remove the hen from the brine and rinse thourughly
Mix all the ingredients together to make marinade

Apply the marinade to the hen well inside out and refrigerate for 4 hours

Roasting
Preheat oven to 450 deg F
Add 1/4 cup water in the pan
Slit the hen in half
Place the hen on the roaster and roast for 15 mins
Decrease the temperature to 375 and roast for another 15 mins.
Flip the hen and roast another 15 mins or till clear juices run out when pierced
Set the oven to broil and broil the hen on each side for 5 mins each.