Ingredients

• 1 lemon, juice only
• 4 fluid ounces olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 3 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 -2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• salt
• pepper, to taste
• 2 Cornish hens
• unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Split the hens and remove the ribs and backbone.

2. Combine all above except butter and marinate the hens for 2 to 6 hours.

3. Bring them to room temperature before cooking.

4. Preheat oven to 500°F.

5. Remove the hens from the marinade and pat more or less dry.

6. Arrange in an oven dish (single layer), brush with butter, sprinkle with salt and pepper and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, brushing with butter once or twice during cooking.