Recipe: Tikka Masala Game Hen

I recently saw one of our super markets selling Cornish Rock Game Hens for about $2.50 a piece (for comparison you could buy 2-3 for the same price as a rotisserie chicken)  It easily serves 2 people and would be a fantastic date night show stopper or "impress the boss meal".  Marinades are as varied as they are for chicken and I may explore more of them in the future.  Last night, however, I was very much wanting Indian food and I had a bottle of Tikka Masala simmer sauce in the pantry.  Outside of marinating the prep could not be easier.

You will need:
1 cornish game hen
1 bottle Tikka Masala simmer sauce (you will use about half for the prep)
Half an onion, sliced
1 carrot, cut into large bites
1 lemon, quartered
2 cloves garlic mashed
Salt
Pepper

Remove the hen from any packaging and remove the neck and giblet packet (if it is included) from the cavity of the bird.  Holding the bird cavity down, let any liquid drain out.  Coat the hen liberally with salt and pepper on both sides and inside.  Dollop out the masala and rub into the hen making sure to get a good coating on all surfaces.  Spoon a teaspoon or two inside the hen and rub in the cavity.  Allow to marinate for at least an hour but as long as overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Shortly before cooking stuff the bird with the onion slices, carrot, garlic, and one lemon wedge.  Line the bottom of a roasting pan with aluminum foil to aid with clean up and place the bird on the slotted top portion (or on a cookie sheet lined with foil if you don't have a roasting pan).  Place the other lemon wedges over the wings.  Cook for 60-75 minutes, remove from oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes.  You can carve the hen or simply split it in half by guiding a knife to one side of the breast bone.