Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Butchering, Cooking, Recipes => Topic started by: billythekidrock on January 19, 2014, 12:31:02 PM

Title: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: billythekidrock on January 19, 2014, 12:31:02 PM: Saturday was a busy day but I managed to smoke up 8 Cornish game hens for dinner and for lunch during today’s game.

Brined overnight in:
1-gallon water
1-gallon apple juice
1-cup brown sugar
½ cup canning salt

After brining and drying they were injected with butter and garlic salt.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2FSAM_0300.JPG&hash=0e33a336dd98b8be314ed5508678a92fe8fecbc1)

After 30 minutes of smoke, they were topped with bacon and a couple were basted with a herb and garlic mixture.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2FIMG_0531.JPG&hash=c250537f08c7992eeda7d4f99dd80583d8fe4b47)

I cooked them at about 250 until they reached 160 degrees and then upped the temp to about 300 to finish them at 170 degrees.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2FIMG_05407.JPG&hash=e0a6f7d1770e3e7beacd16501591f45a1cf291bd)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2FIMG_05435.JPG&hash=dddf799ee46c5ddd016752f8dc886e41f215394b)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2FIMG_0537.JPG&hash=6b91564a201b1d2e3a9c13c4cdc67cb48c0246c6)

For dinner they were served with homegrown fingerling potatoes and sugar snap peas. For lunch today they will be served with potato chips and soda.

I really like the Redi Chek thermometer. With the remote receiver I don’t have to run out and check the temp every 15 minutes. Being able to set a timer and high/low temp alarms is a great bonus.
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: Watimberghost on January 19, 2014, 12:38:37 PM: That sounds, looks, and I'm sure, tastes incredible
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: Blacklab on January 19, 2014, 01:11:18 PM: Looks :drool: :tup:
what's your smoke flavor
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: billythekidrock on January 19, 2014, 01:14:50 PM: Quote from: Blacklab on January 19, 2014, 01:11:18 PM
Looks :drool: :tup:
what's your smoke flavor

I used a mix of Alder dust and Hickory chips.
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: boneaddict on January 19, 2014, 01:37:22 PM: Looks fantastic.
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: Hawgdawg on January 19, 2014, 02:04:43 PM: Looks tasty. Mind me asking how you keep your smoker walls so clean? Or is it new?
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: billythekidrock on January 19, 2014, 02:16:22 PM: Quote from: Hawgdawg on January 19, 2014, 02:04:43 PM
Looks tasty. Mind me asking how you keep your smoker walls so clean? Or is it new?

I have had that metal cabinet for a dozen years but just recently lined the inside. This is the first smoke since I lined it.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2FIMG_05276.JPG&hash=40697c370f74e216d273190d27cc5ee49174910b)
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: Jason on January 19, 2014, 02:39:14 PM: Awesome job on the birds, they look delicious :drool:
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: dogtuk on January 19, 2014, 09:19:46 PM: They look great Kid Nice job
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: Blacklab on January 19, 2014, 09:38:30 PM: ASwesome love hickory :tup: keepmon keepin on :tup:
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: quadrafire on January 20, 2014, 12:58:03 PM: BTKR
Those look fabulous. I love spatchcocked game hens.

I have the redicheck, but my does some wonky things at times. Usually about 1/2 way through cooking the temp will rise suddenly (not accurately when checked with another thermometor). Any issues with your set up?
I have gotten to where I don't trust it.
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: billythekidrock on January 20, 2014, 05:54:27 PM: Well I used the Redi Chek again today and I did get some crazy readings. LLL (low) & HHH (high) on the smoker reading when it shouldn't have.

I did get it a bit too hot the other day and may have fried it.
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: Wea300mag on January 20, 2014, 06:12:15 PM: Those are some great looking birds :drool:
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: adamR on January 20, 2014, 06:18:43 PM: How long did you cook them at those temps? They look delicious
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: billythekidrock on January 20, 2014, 07:44:34 PM: I think it was about 2 hours at 250 and then about 15 min at 300.
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: whitey on January 30, 2014, 06:57:14 AM: You dog.. :yike:
Them little dudes look yummmmmmy.. :tup:
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: Dhoey07 on January 30, 2014, 07:49:32 AM: Where would a guy find some cornish game hens?
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: akirkland on January 30, 2014, 11:18:58 AM: Any grocery store really. Picked some at at Wal Mart in Yelm yesterday.
Title: Re: Spatchcocked Game Hens - Smoked
Post by: billythekidrock on January 30, 2014, 06:25:32 PM: I got mine at Walmart. They were $3 each.