Cornish Hens and Vegetables in Foil Packets

Ingredients

• 4 Cornish hens, halved, backbones removed
• salt
• pepper
• 8 small red potatoes, scrubbed and sliced
• 1 large yellow squash, sliced
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1/4 lb mushroom, sliced
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon coarsely cracked pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. 2

   Season hens with salt and freshly ground pepper.

3. 3

   Place two chicken halves, skin side down, on bottom half of a 12 x 18-inch sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil.

4. 4

   Layer one quarter of potatoes, squash, carrots, onions and mushrooms over the top of the of the hen halves.

5. 5

   Repeat with remaining 3 hens and vegetables.

6. 6

   In a small bowl combine the melted butter, lemon juice and pepper.

7. 7

   Drizzle over vegetables, dividing equally among the packets. Season lightly with salt and sprinkle 1 tablespoon over each packet.

8. 8

   Bring top half of foil over food and make a series of pleated folds all around to seal.

9. 9

   Place on a couple of baking sheets and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until juices from hen run clear when thigh is pricked.