Ingredients

2 (1 1/4 to 1 3/4 pounds) Cornish game hen
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 pieces thick-sliced bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
20 to 24 pearl onions

Directions

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Wrap a
brick in aluminum foil and place into the oven to heat.

Place the game hen breast side down on a cutting board. Using scissors or poultry shears,
cut from the neck to the tailbone to remove the backbone. Once you remove the backbone you
will be able to see the inside of the bird. Make a small slit in the cartilage at the base
of the breastbone to reveal the keel bone. Grab the bird with both hands on the ribs and
open up like a book, facing down towards the cutting board. Remove the keel bone. Cut

small slits in the skin of the bird behind the legs and tuck the drumsticks into them in
order to hold them in place. Season on both sides with salt and pepper.

Fry the bacon in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once crisp, remove the
bacon from the skillet and reserve. Drain all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pan.
Immediately add the two birds to the pan, skin side down. Add the onions to the pan around
the edges. Top the birds with the brick and allow to remain on the heat for 5 minutes.
Place the pan into the oven and cook 10 to 15 minutes or until the thigh meat reaches 170
degrees F. Remove from the oven and allow the bird to rest for 5 minutes before serving
with the onions and bacon.