Recipe - Roasted Poussins With Fennel

Six; (1pound) poussins
; (baby chickens) or
; six 1 1/4pound
; Cornish hens
1 One half pound Fennel bulbs; (about 3),
trimmed,
; reserving the ribs
; for stuffing the
; chickens, and the
; bulbs cut or sliced up thin
2 tablespoon Unsalted butter
1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
One half cup Dry white wine
One half cup Water; up to 3/4
2 tablespoon Pernod or other
aniseflavored liqueur
6 Parsley sprigs for garnish

Stuff the chicken cavities with the reserved fennel ribs, chopped, and
truss the chickens. In a large heavy skillet heat the butter and the oil
over moderately high heat until the foam subsides and in the fat brown the
chickens, patted dry and seasoned with salt and pepper, in batches,
transferring them as they are browned to a flameproof roasting pan. Pour
off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat and in the fat remaining in the skillet
cook the cut or sliced up fennel over moderate heat, stirring, until it is golden and
softened. Spoon the fennel around the chickens and add the wine and One half cup
of the water. Roast the chickens in the middle of a preheated 400F. oven,
basting them every 15 minutes and adding enough of the remaining One fourth cup
water as necessary to maintain about 1 cup pan juices, for 40 to 50
minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the fleshy part of a thigh
registers 180F. and the juices run clear when the thigh is pierced with a
skewer.

Transfer the pan to the stove top. In a small saucepan heat the Pernod over
moderately low heat until it is warm, ignite it, and pour it carefully over
the chickens, letting the flames go out. Transfer the chickens to plates,
and garnish each serving with a parsley sprig. Boil the pan juices until
they are reduced to about 2/3 cup, season the gravy with salt and pepper,
and transfer it to a gravy boat.

Serves 6.

Gourmet December 1991

Converted by MC_Buster.

Converted by MM_Buster v2.0l.