The following recipe is our version of gai yang, the grilled or roasted marinated chicken for which there are many variations in Thailand. Although gai yang is traditionally served with only a sweet chili garlic sauce for dipping, we were so taken with the complex flavor of the marinade that we decided to make extra and turn it into a second dipping sauce. Both sauces offered here are simple and delicious, but the Cornish hens can easily stand on their own.

　　

Ingredients

Serves 6

　　

For marinade

4 stalks fresh lemongrass, outer leaves discarded and root ends  trimmed

　　2/3 cup chopped well-washed coriander roots and/or stems

　　1/2 cup chopped shallot

　　8 large garlic cloves

　　1/4 cup chopped peeled fresh gingerroot

　　1/4 cup palm sugar or firmly packed brown sugar

　　2 tablespoons curry powder

　　2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

　　1/4 teaspoon salt

　　1/4 cup Asian fish sauce (preferably naam pla)

　　2 cups well-stirred canned unsweetened coconut milk

　　three 1 1/4- to 1 1/2-pound Cornish hens, butterflied (backbone and  breastbone removed)

　　Sweet Chili Sauce

　　

Make marinade:

Step 1

Thinly slice lower 6 inches of lemongrass stalks, discarding remainder of stalks

　　

Step 2

In a food processor or blender finely grind together sliced lemongrass, coriander, shallot, garlic, and gingerroot. Add sugar, curry powder, pepper, salt, fish sauce, and 1 cup coconut milk and purée.

　　

Step 3

Quarter each hen and divide between 2 large resealable plastic bags. Divide marinade between bags and seal bags, pressing out excess air. Put bags in large shallow dish and marinate hens, chilled, turning bag once or twice, overnight.

　　

Step 4

Preheat oven to 450°F. and line a large shallow roasting pan with foil.

　　

Step 5

Remove hens from marinade, reserving marinade, and arranged hens, skin sides up, in prepared pan. Roast hens 20 to 25 minutes, or until just cooked through.

　　

Step 6

While hens are roasting, in a small saucepan combine reserved marinade and remaining 1 cup coconut milk. Cook sauce at a slow boil, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes and strain through a fine sieve into another small saucepan to keep warm.

　　

Step 7

Serve hens with marinade sauce and/or sweet chili sauce for dipping if desired.