Jan D'Atri

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Worcestershire sauce

Rock Cornish Game Hens with Cranberry and Apricot Preserve Glaze

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The meat department manager at the store knew right where they were.
“Aisle 6, third case down on the left, bottom row.” That’s because even though Rock Cornish Game Hens really only get attention during the holidays, they are generally always there in the frozen food case, just waiting for someone to find a great recipe and then gobble up these delectable little birds. This week I was spending a little time with Julia (Child), reading some of her fun television stories when I stumbled across her account of Unidentified Flying Objects—or small birds. “Eating this meal demands fingers and cooking it demands loving, last-minute attention. The right people to ask to this dinner party (serving Cornish Game Hens) are knowing, sensuous eaters whom you welcome backstage because they understand and enjoy what’s going on there. So dine in the kitchen if you have room.” Doesn’t that just sound like the women we loved to watch on television for decades? Her story made me hunt for one of my favorite recipes for these tasty little one-bird-per-person UFO’s. Cornish Game Hens are all white meat, but they are succulent and have a slight but distinct gamy flavor. This recipe for the roasted hens, served with a wild rice blend (found in most stores and often in the bulk bins) and a sweet and savory glaze, make a perfect weeknight dinner or a fantastic family Sunday supper.
As Julia Child once said, “The best way to execute (French) cooking is to get good and loaded and whack the hell out of a chicken. Bon appétit. ” Well, no need to do that with Rock Cornish Game Hens, but Bon appétit anyway!

Watch my How To Video For Cornish Game Hens here!

Spicy Cajun Shrimp

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Everything I learned about the history of Cajun and Creole food, I learned from Paul Prudhomme, the Louisiana-born celebrity chef who popularized both types of Southern cuisine. I learned that Cajun food is the food of country folk who settled in the bayou lands of Southern Louisiana and kept largely to themselves. Creole food, on the other hand, is city food, specifically from New Orleans, and was greatly influenced by the many different cultures like French, Spanish, Italian, Haitian, French Canadian, Native American and African that helped to shape that city. My very favorite shrimp dish came from Prudhomme, and that made him, in my eyes, the King of Cajun cooking. This Spicy Cajun Shrimp is simply divine. I remember making it for my father, and his reaction was always the same. He would bow his head, clasp his hands in front of the bowl and just say, “Honey, this is liquid gold!” Don’t be put off by the amount of ingredients. I can only tell you that this dish is worth every bite. Perhaps the phrase that best describes Paul Prudhomme’s Spicy Cajun Shrimp has to be Ça c’est bon — That’s good! Enjoy a big bowl of Cajun comfort food this week!

Turkey Meatloaf

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It’s one of those family style favorites! Meatloaf never seems to go out of style. There are thousands of recipes for meatloaf using beef. But I’ve been looking for a turkey version of a classic meatloaf for a very long time and finally found one that will be my go-to from now on! Because turkey can be a bit dry, I was thrilled that this version is so juicy! That’s because of a few secret tips and techniques that make this meatloaf moist, flavorful and a perfect meal to make ahead, freeze and have for later! One of the secrets is, believe it or not, a couple of tablespoons of water! It’s how I make my meatballs, so I know it really helps keep the meatloaf juicy. The other technique is to make a paste-like mixture of milk, oats and breadcrumbs that gets added to the mixture. Finally, I decided to spice up the top with a combination of organic ketchup (for sweetness) and an Asian sweet and spicy sauce (for heat) called Gochujang, readily found in most grocery stores and Asian markets. If you love meatloaf and think that is has to be beef to be delicious, this recipe is going to change your thinking after one single scrumptious bite!

Watch my How To Video for Turkey Meatloaf here!