Instructions: Q. What is a Cornish hen? I have heard that it is a regular chicken that has been treated to remain small? I have never seen any Cornish hens on the hoof (so to speak). Can you tell me what they are?

A. The breeding and cross-breeding of chickens has a long and quite possibly glorious history, extending over continents and centuries. The Rock Cornish hen or Rock Cornish game hen is a cross between the Cornish and White Rock breeds of chicken, and are naturally small. By the time they are slaughtered at 4 to 6 weeks, they weigh around 2.5 pounds, and provide about one serving of meat each.

Jonathan Bartlett, author of The Cooks Dictionary and Culinary Reference says

"it needs marinating or spicing to have much taste and is generally roasted." High praise, indeed.

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