Cornish Game Hens

Let’s clear one thing about Game Hens vs. a Chicken. What is the difference in them? To be honest a hen is just a young chicken. Technically a hen weighs 2 lbs and is 5 weeks old.. A chicken we are used to is up to 6 lbs and is 6-10 weeks.

Okay now that we know their differences is there any difference in how the taste and if the preperation is the same.

The cornish hen goes back to England in the early 19th Century. They were called Indian Game Chickens and were bred to fight.

Around 1910 the American Poultry Association changed the breeds name to the Cornish Hen which was coined in America.

So, does that change anything in how to prepare a Hen vs a Chicken. No. Not really.

Some might argue that they are more tender. Some might find the breast particularly is more tender in the hen.

At the end of the day a chicken is a chicken 😉

I buy the hens when entertaining as each guest gets their own hen. Otherwise with a chicken you have to carve it and it isn’t as pleasing to the eye.

My recipe for preparing the Hen is the same.

I start by rinsing the hen and drying it.

Next I finally chop fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme and oregano.

Then I toss the herbs into a bowl and add 1 tbsp fresh chopped garlic, one shallot (chopped), 2 tbsp olive oil, the juice of one lemon and 2 tbsp butter (room temperature).

Mix it up.

Next gently lift the skin of the chicken without tearing it. Using your hands put the herb mixtures under the skin, spreading all over.

Rub the top of the hen with herb mixture as well. You want it really covered inside and out to get the good flavors of the herbs.

Place then in a roasting pan. Cook them approximately 30-45 minutes until the juices run clear and the skin is browned.

Let the hens rest for 25-30 minutes and then you can serve whole for each person or carve them and serve on a platter.

Thats all there is to do! Pour a nice glass of Sancerre for you and your guest.

Bon Appetit!

Delicious Easy Spaghetti Dinner

Grandma’s Gravy

If you are Italian or hang out with Italians you know that tomato sauce is called Gravy. Growing up in the South most people referred to gravy as that thick brown silky sauce that covers pretty much anyting you could eat. Sunday Supper always had homemade gravy to pour over the mashed potatoes and whatever meat was on the table.

That was a good gravy. However nothing beats Nonnas tomato sauce!

I am feeling generous today and am going to let you in on the big secrets of the perfect tomato gravy.

One of the biggest mistakes people think about making homemade tomato sauce is that it takes days to prepare.

There is Grandma in the kitchen for days stirring and stirring her sauce over the lowest termperature. Here’s how little you need to make an amazing sauce.

Ingredients

Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Tomatoes. They must be the best quality and perfectly ripe tomatoes. They should smell like the tomato vine and sunshine. I use Roma tomatoes as well as Cherry tomatoes and tomatoes on the vine.

Finely chop all of the tomatoes.

4 Garlic Cloves, minced

2 Shallots, finely chopped

2 Tbsp Sugar (its controversial) but I like the added sweetness.

Thats your sauce! Slow stir it in a saucepan for 20-30 minutes or until its all melded together.

Add a dash (teaspoon) of both salt and pepper.

Give it a taste and set it aside.

The Meatballs!

As per my Grandmothers recipe the minced meat is a mix of beef, pork and veal. It adds so many layers of flavor rather than just one. In the same mixing bowl add 1-2 tbsp of olive oil, 2 tsp salt and 2 tsp pepper. Add 2 tsp. garlice powder, 1 tbsp Italian dried herbs and 1/2 cup Italian Style Bread Crumbs. Mix altogether and form the meatballs.

Roll the meat into medium sized meatballs. Heat a frying pan on medium heat.

NOW HERE IS THE BIG REVEAL. ADD 2 Cups of Olive Oil into the pan. You are going to cook the meatballs in olive oil sauce. What that means is that there is so much olive oil that it almost covers the meatballs. WHY? It makes the most nutty flavored meatball that is incredibley tender.

Simmer on low heat for 20-25 minutes basting them as you go so they remain tender and coated.

Take the meatballs out and place on paper towl.

Once the meatballs are cooked through take them off the heat, draining off the olive oil.

Finely chop the meatballs into mince and add to the tomato sauce.

Pasta?? – Its up to you on the type of pasta to serve with the sauce. I go with Angel Hair. However really any string pasta works. So fettuccini, spaghetti, bucatini all work!

Thats it! Super flavorful and rich, decadent and delicious.

Bon Apetito!

Easy like a Sunday Morning

I know I know its Sunday and the last thing you want to think about is whats for dinner on Monday. Lets admit it that Monday dinner is the worst to pull together after the weekend and work day come Monday.

Lets take the stress of this meal off the table for Monday by prepping ahead. Sure you can definintely make it today while relaxing at home and have the leftovers for Monday.

Either way you’ve got Monday covered and dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.

Here we go…sooo easy peasy!

Ingredients

4 Chicken Thighs

1 Cup Orzo Pasta

4 Artichokes, store bought in jar (Yes we are making easy dinner in 30 minutes)

2 Cups Mushrooms (use your favorite)

1 tbsp minced garlic

1 shallot, finely chopped

2 tbsp capers, drained

Place the thighs in pan with 1 tbsp olive oil, the capers and the shallots. Saute for 8-10 minutes turning the thighs over half way to brown on each side.

Take the thighs out and place on paper towel.

Add the mushrooms and artichokes into the pan and saute for 10 minutes until both are soft.

Add the chicken back into the pan and stir the ingredients so everything is coated. YUM.

While the chicken rests cook the orzo. Super easy. In a small saucepan add 2 cups water, 1 cup orzo and a dash of salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 8 minutes until the orzo is soft. Drain.

Finely slice and chop the chicken as you take it off the bone.

Then in one bowl or plate place the sliced chicken and then incorporate the orzo, mushroom and artichokes.

Thats it! Dinner is served and you didn’t even break a sweat. Your family will love it and won’t even know how easy it was. Take the prase! 😉 You’re welcome!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Today marks the publish date of THE BROOKLYN SUPPERS!

The chronicles of the Supper Club I started while living in Brooklyn NYC.

11 Suppers from January 12th, 2011 to September 29th, 2013.

Each Supper had a theme across an appetizer, an entree, a vegetable and a dessert. Yes there was wine! Guests brought their own and ended up sharing with other guests.

The past year has been a whirlwind of book signings, in store events, traveling to promote the book and knocking on doors of book stores both large and small across the country.

I have had so much support in the past year from family, friends, neighbors, small businesses and big box stores.

Many thanks to Barnes and Noble with the multiple book singing events they hosted for me.

My books landed across the country and even across the pond. I had books purchased from 10 countries as far as India and Bali.

Thank you to all my local friends and acquaintances who gave me such support.

What’s next you ask?

I’ll have a glass of champagne (Veuve Cliquout) today with friends and put my feet up for a few!

Tomorrow its back to promoting.

Many have inquired when the next book would be in the works. Well it all already is of course! Stay tuned for details!

Behind the Scenes of a Supper

Throwback Thursday!

That time the Supper Club (The Brooklyn Suppers) theme was Winter White!

THROWBACK THURSDAY – The Brooklyn Suppers Supper Club – January 12th, 2011 -Winter White Design for January Mood
Menu – Scallopops, Masala Spiced Black Cod, Grilled White Asparagus, Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta

Thank you!

Happy Monday everyone. Quick reminder that LOVE is just around the corner!

Valentines Day is here so be sure to get those flowers ordered along with the boxes of chocolates, stuffed bears or hearts or anything else you cozy up to.

This is a wonderful holiday to impress your other(s) with a homemade dinner. It doesn’t have to be super fancy or hard to make. Its truly the thought and effort that counts. A simple pasta of bucatini with a sauce of fresh tomatoes, shaved garlic, toasted pinenuts and parmesan reggiano shaved on top.

If you prefer to be pampered and let someone do the cooking then make the reservation now!

Bubbly champagne to start or prosecco if you prefer will set the tone for the meal.

Cheers to Love!

Over the weekend I had a book signing at Barclay Butera Home here in Newport Beach. So much LOVE for everyone that came out to support me and the new book, The Brooklyn Suppers.

I served a little hors d’oeuvres along with a glass of prosecco. The recipe is here below. Its so easy and quick to make but it looks impressive! A great way to start the evening and get your pallette ready for the rest of the evening.

Happy Valentines to everyone and I can’t wait to hear what you ate and drank and what special touch your family, your partner and your friends did to make a great day/evening!

Valentines Book Signing Event!

So excited to be back at Barclay Butera Interiors here in Newport Beach California!

This coming Saturday, February 11th, I will be in store signing books and talking all things Valentines.

Come visit from 1pm – 3pm get some signed books for Valentines gifts and nibble on a delicious appetizer from the book. A little prosecco while you see all the beautiful furninshings!

I can’t wait to see you. Love is in the air!

xoxo, Heather

A New Year! Hello 2023

I don’t know about you but 2022 sure went by fast. A very exciting year as my second book was published on April 5th! Titled the Brooklyn Suppers it is the story of my actual Supper Club in Brooklyn New York. A Supper Club where strangers gathered around a long table in my third store brownstone walkup. A Supper Club filled with delicious foods all prepared by myself. My global travels found me in wonderful markets in India, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Siem Reap, Bhutan and more. I shopped these markets to find goods that fit the theme of the upcoming Supper. What an Adventure!

Strangers arrived at my door and were escorted to my living room where a 12 ft decorated table had a name for each guest.

Cocktails were poured and strangers now had names and the conversations spread from my little walkup to the rest of Brooklyn and NYC.

The book launched April 5, 2022! Holding the copy of my book which took FOREVER was surreal. Covid shut down shipping lanes and my books were on those ships. It finally did make it though!

I encourage you buy a copy for yourself and friends and family. The gift of food is always a happy one!

My Christmas table this year was a throwback to the traditional colors of red and green! My daughter loves to help set the table and I hope she carries this on through her years. Many more to come to decorate together! I felt snowflakes, vintage tableware, champagne flutes (lemonade for one of us and Prosecco for another 😉 Lots of organic decorations like pine cones, branches and paperwhites.

Buffalo check Christmas hats sat at each setting and was meant to adorn each head! Rosemary peaked out from the paper whites.

The menu was a roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy and traditional cranberry sauce. A lovely Rombauer washed it all down! Thank you Julia Child!

The candles twinkled, the fire was crackling and we sat around the table in PJ’s (yes more buffalo check) enoying a wonderful meal.

I hope you too had a low key evening with great food, family and friends. I can’t say that we weren’t asleep by 10 pm 😉

New Years wasn’t much better for bedtime!

If you don’t already have a copy of the Brooklyn Suppers you can buy them at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, your local bookstore, my website and Barclay Butera stores.

May 2023 bring us joy, laughter, adventure and new beginnings! xoxo, H

Another Book Signing!

Don’t Miss the Second Book Signing!

Email me if you have any questions about the next book signing. If you can’t make the signing and want signed copies of the book for yourself, family and friends please email me and I can mail you books directly anywhere in the world! This is a wonderful gift for the upcoming holidays for all your friends and family who love to cook and entertain. I have made it easy for everyone with my simple and delicious recipes! Lots of great tips on how to be a wonderful host/hostess without making yourself overwhelmed. heather@hautenthekitchen.com

Three Months In with The Brooklyn Suppers

Barnes & Noble, Fashion Island, Newport Beach

The Brooklyn Suppers has been published since April 5th! Wow, how fast was that?!

If you haven’t been keeping up lets recap the past few months.

The Brooklyn Suppers was published on April 5th after a very long 2 .5 yrs in the process. I won’t share with you all the pain and suffering I went through from June 2019 to April 5th, 2022. Covid didn’t help for sure. Just as my books were printed and ready to ship Covid hit. The books were printed in Malyasia and just like so many others we waited for the cargo to finally ship with all the backlog of containers.

Alas the books arrived and we made ready to get the press materials out as soon as possible. From mid March to April 5th we were busy receiving the books and working on the press materials for the launch. I won’t say that the book promotion period was smooth and successful. Actually it was just the opposite. I won’t go into details mainly because it so upsets me. Lets just say promises made by my publisher fell very very very short of what was told that would be done for my promotion. Just one tiny example, my publishing team sent a detailed list of all the bookstores, bloggers, reviewers, local media, newspapers, radio and magazines that they were going to contact them 3x over the coming month. When my launch date arrived (April 5th), not one single outreach on their part was confimed. NOT ONE.

I take a deep breath. Then I myself contaced everyone on the pitch list. Guess what, I received dozens of replies and confirmations to carry or promote the book.

In the end, I am sort of glad it turned out like that. No, I won’t use Mascot for my future books but it did force me to get out there and hustle the books which was not only educational but successful. Oh, and I am not done yet. This is just the beginning!

If you have a favorite local bookstore please let me know and I can contact them with details of getting copies of the book.

In happier news I had my first Barnes and Noble book signing on Saturday June 25th! BN at Fashion Island, Newport Beach did an wonderful job of organizing it and they had my table right in the front door! Thank you so much @bnnewportbeach for a great event. #bnnewportbeach A huge thank you to all the friends that attended. I was taken by surprise by the support!

So now its back to the grind on social media and contacting bookstores around the world to buy my books. I have had a few super surprises in contacting some bookstores I have loved all over the world. My favorite bookstore in Paris, Shakespeare & Co, wrote me back! They don’t actually buy cookbooks outside of France but hey they took the time to write. Tres Cool! I got myself into the New York Public Library as well as my local library here in Newport Beach.

Just in case you didn’t know, you can go to almost any bookstore in your town and have them order copies direct to them.

I am still pounding the pavement out here but its fun!

I think the coolest thing that has happened with the book launch was my daughters response. She was going around telling all her little friends and anyone else that she ran across saying that her Mommy was in Barnes and Noble. She dressed up for the event and proudly sat beside me during the signing. That alone makes my book succesful if I don’t sell another copy. (Although it would be nice to sell some more 😉

Stay tuned for more promotions, tell friends and family. Buy early books for the holidays season this year! If you buy through Facebook you can get a signed book. You can also purchase books straight from me.

Email me – heather@hautenthekitchen.com

Thanks for all the love and support over the past few months. Time to hit the pavement again selling books!