Deep-Fried Cornish Game Hens

Rinse the game hens inside and out. Pat completely dry with paper toweling (inside and out). Let the game hens stand at room temperature for 1 hour. You can cover them with paper toweling but do not cover with anything airtight as you want them to dry out as much as possible. Important: The game hens MUST be at room temperature and dry before frying or the oil may boil over.

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Place a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet.

Heat 3-inches of shortening or oil in a large Dutch oven to 375 degrees F.

Using long-handled tongs, place one game hen in the hot oil. Fry the hen, turning it occasionally, until it is golden brown. This will take about 10-12 minutes. The thickest part of the game hen thigh should register 180 degrees F on a meat thermometer when fully cooked.

Carefully remove the game hen from the oil with the tongs. Place the cooked game hen on the rack on the baking sheet and place it in the oven to keep warm. Repeat the deep-frying process with the remaining game hen(s).

Take the last hen out of the oil and let it rest for 5 minutes on a wire rack over paper toweling.

Season the hens with salt and pepper. Serve the hens whole, or cut them in half using a cleaver or poultry shears. Serve with lemon wedges.