GAME HENS WITH POMEGRANATE: Beccazini alla Melagrana

I look at my youngest teen and I feel fortunate that through this Batali challenge, we have the opportunity to spend more time together. I remember reading a book which highlights that our children are not ours to keep on our side forever but we are just borrowing some of their precious time until they can soar on their own.

Would you believe that this teen has killed and dressed a live chicken and when she was 10 years old? (Nanny showed her how to dress a chicken when they were on a vacation at their grandfather's farm) - -Good for her! I only learned to bake a whole chicken when I tried Batali's DEVIL'S CHICKEN: Pollo al Diavolo. Hopefully in the future, when she's my age - -she can look back on this blog and remember all the fun times we had!  

Oh well - -full disclaimer: The recipe used game hens but again, I cannot find it at Walmart so I used regular chicken and used the seasonings in this recipe to mimic the flavor.

Mario B's version: Page 326

Maria B's version:

In the original recipe, it recommended six  game hens to be cooked in a pan together with the olive oil until golden brown (5 minutes) before it is transferred to the oven. Since I used a whole chicken, I skipped the step by step details on frying and baking and just went straight to the baking method.

seeds of 1 large pomegranate
1 whole chicken
1 cup sweet marsala
1 tbsp chopped fresh mint
salt and pepper
4 tbsp butter (melted)
2 tbsp extra virgin oil
2 tbsp dried sage leaves
zest of 2 oranges

 

HERE'S HOW:

• In a small bowl, mix pomegranate and marsala. Set aside for an hour
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Season chicken with salt and pepper
• Stuff the chicken with the seeds (about half of the mixture)
• Mix together butter, mint, orange zest and sage and baste it on the chicken.
• Place chicken in a pan and drizzle with olive oil and remaining pomegranate seeds
• Bake for 50-60 minutes

Comments

[pegasuslegend]

what an awesome post! I love this :)

[Joy]

I really love that you guys have chef's coats that is truly awesome :) This recipe looks great I always love pomegranate but Ive never had it with chicken! I shall definitely try this next time