Sunday, October 04, 2009

FULL MOON RISING ~ (SIMPLE SUNDAY NIGHT SUPPER) CORNISH GAME HENS with APPLE THYME GLAZE / WHIPPED DIJON CAULIFLOWER

"Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly to the listening earth
Repeats the story of her birth."
~ Joseph Addison



FALLING LEAVES MOON
Ginaakwe-giizis
(Ojibwe)
_____________________
CORNISH GAME HENS with APPLE THYME GLAZE
~ Savory taste of autumn, company fare, or perfect
for a simple Sunday supper (October1992 Bon Appetit)
___________
1 large Cornish Game Hen (pheasant or duck also good), cut in half, backbone discarded
coarse salt & freshly ground black pepper
3 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. minced shallot
2 Tbsp apple jelly
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme (1/2 tsp. crumbled dried)
2 tsp. cider vinegar
Apple slices
Fresh thyme sprigs
  • Preheat broiler. Heat 2 tsp. oil in heavy small saucepan over low heat. Add shallot and saute until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add apple jelly and chopped thyme and stir until jelly melts. Mix in vinegar. Set glaze aside.
  • Rub hen halves with remaining 1 tsp. olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Place hen halves skin side down in broiler pan. Broil about 5 inches from heat source until brown and crisp, 10 minutes. Brush glaze over. Turn hen halves over. Broil skin side up about 5 minutes or until just cooked through and juices from thigh run clear when pierced. Brush skin with glaze and broil just until glaze begins to color, about 1 minute.
  • Arrange hen halves on plates. Garnish with apple slices and fresh thyme sprigs. Serve with baked autumn squash and Whipped Cauliflower Dijon. (2 servings, easily doubled)
________________
WHIPPED DIJON CAULIFLOWER
~ A delicious keeper recipe for all seasons
(slightly adapted from Recipezaar.com)
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1 head cauliflower (about 6 cups florets)
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sour cream
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. coarse salt
1/2 tsp. white pepper
1 cup grated Gruyere cheese
2 Tbsp. thinly sliced fresh chives
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Lightly spray a 1 1/2 quart gratin baking dish with cooking spray and reserve.
  • Break cauliflower into florets and boil until totally tender, about 5 minutes (mashable but not mushy). Drain well, transfer to food processor . Add cream, sour cream, butter, Dijon, salt and pepper. Process until mixture is a thick smooth puree. Pulse in 1/2 cup of grated Gruyere. Transfer mixture to gratin baking dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
  • Bake in preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is melted and slightly browned. Sprinkle with chives to garnish. (6 servings)

25 comments:

Meems said...

Dear Joey,
I've been loving the sky these last few nights. Clear and calm with that beaming orb lighting up the entire earth. We're getting temps in the low 70's and high 60's finally at night (76 this morning- boo). Next week we're back to summer they say.

Anyway, beautiful photo and your recipes are getting me in the mood for fall. Sounds scrumptious.
Happy Sunday.
Meems

lindalou said...

The moon was beautiful last night...or was it the night before. I can't remember, but I did look up and notice that it was mostly full.

Cauliflower is one of the vegetables that I struggle with. So I am always on the look out for recipes that might help it taste better. This looks like a good one.

p.s. We went to Fishbone's last night. Very good.

RURAL said...

Everything you post is always so gorgeous.

And then there are the mouth watering recipes.... oh yum. Oh look, oh yum, oh look...

Jen

Frances said...

Oh that moon, Joey! It is hypnotic! The cauliflower recipe calls to me and will be saved for preparation. Thanks! :-)
Frances

TYRA Hallsénius Lindhe said...

What a great autumn supper, it sound really delicious. I hope we get a clear sky tonight so we all can enjoy the full moon.

xoxo Tyra

joey said...

Thank you, dear Meems. Fall surely found us (frost on the punkins'). Enjoy the summer-like weather for me ... it will be quite some time before I feel the warmth again! (Daughter just returned from Amelia Island last week and except for humid bad hair days, had a fabulous time with her cousins).

Aw yes, Fishbone's ... a great spot, Lindalou. Have you even been to Mosaic in Greektown? Give the caulifower and try and let me know ... you just might become a believer!

You are a dear, Jen, and thanks. I love preparing game birds in fall, in fact, I'm dying to get my hands on a wild turkey (we're on the 'turkey trot' here at the lake where as many as 50 parade through our property, teasing me).

I'm a bit loony about the full moon, Frances. In fact, I'm at the lake and the loons (getting ready to fly south to visit Meems) yodeled their praise also. I love the cauliflower recipe and hope you to too!

joey said...

The full moon is always a joy, Tyra. Do hope you view it tonight ... and when I look up, I'll smile and think of you, dear friend!

Katarina said...

Love your moon, Joey - so interesting!

joey said...

Thank you, Katarina ... enjoy, it's your moon too :)

Rose said...

I always look forward to your photos of the full moon, Joey, and the Native American names for them. So lovely!

The recipe for cauliflower sounds delicious!

beckie said...

Joey, when I saw the moon come up last night, I thought of your lovely photos. And you didn't disappoint with this one. :)

Hope you are doing okay. I think of you often and keep you in my prayers.

Roses and Lilacs said...

It was finally clear enough last night to see the moon. It was riding over my shoulder as I drove home.
Marnie

joey said...

How sweet Rose! Yes, the cauliflower is delicious ... fun to slip on plates of those who didn't think they liked cauliflower as with trying a twist on old standards for spinach, squash, beets, peppers etc. ... I've converted many a veggie non-believer that these are not only good for you, but 'simply' taste good!

Thank you, dear Beckie ... I do love MY moon and thank you for your concern. As you can imagine, it was a tough weekend at the lake addressing Nancy's affairs and getting her house ready to put on the market. But you know what makes me happy ... seeing Thelma & Louise pop over, back to back :)

Victoria said...

Wonderful post! Why am I so hungry now? hmm ha ha! The recipes look awesome! Great job!!.. love the moon picture! you always have such a beautiful blog! I enjoy it very much!

joey said...

Glad it was clear enough to follow you home, Marnie ... it was so bright shining through my bedroom windows, it actually kept me awake most of the night :)

Thank you, dear Kiki, how kind! I love MY moon (a long story but a gift from my father when I was 4).

Naturegirl said...

A colorful moon indeed! I am seeing the full moon .. I suppose the wonderful thing about autumn!

joey said...

An autumnal gift, dear Naturegirl! Do hope this beautiful season surrounds you with many blessings.

BALLET NEWS said...

Having just discovered your blog, I have to say, I'm loving it ! Thank you so much for all your great posts

Autumn Belle said...

I love your picture of the moon. It looks magical and enchanting!

joey said...

Thank you for visiting and your kind comment, Elise. Do hope you return.

Hello Autumn Belle and thank you. Can you imagine our world without the enchanting and magical moon!

Nutty Gnome said...

Hi Joey, what a fantastic picture - lucky you. I sat watching the moon last night until I got too cold and had to go in! Don't know why I didn't think to take a photo or two ..... perhaps I was too mesmerised :)
Hope things are starting to get a bit better for you now.
*hugs*

A wildlife gardener said...

Dear Joey, I love the photo of your falling leaves moon...so pretty...and thanks for the recipes...you are so generous to everyone...happy Thanksgiving to you LOL WG xxx

joey said...

Gee thanks, Nutty. Believe me, I understand ... the moon draws us all in, enough to simply enjoy. Autumn hugs!

xxx back, dear WG, and thank you. It's always a joy to hear from you. In awe after my visit to Barleycorn ... indeed we are blessed!

Carol said...

Apple Thyme Glaze... sounds yummy. Joey please... do you share the recipe for your photo too? I am stunned and trying to understand... It is mesmerizing. A work of art. Your are obviously clever with more than just a kitchen mallet... a simple play of words... your culinary art is well versed with herbs ... sweet and savory... a delicious variable edible palette. Carol

joey said...

How kind, Carol ~ thanks to editing software, the photo was fun to work on. And, thanks to my herb garden, I also love to play around with seasonal flavors in the kitchen. Happy autumn!