Roast hen with herby harissa lentils recipe

Flavour: that’s what you might be getting right here, in spades. The herby, spicy puy lentils bubble away within the juices beneath because the fowl roasts. Take away the hen pores and skin out of your portion to minimise the energy and serve with a giant bowl of steamed veg; savoy cabbage goes exceptionally effectively (100g cooked weight = 17 energy).

Timings

Prep time: 10 minutes, plus resting time

Cook dinner time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Serves

4

Energy per serving

442 (with hen pores and skin eliminated)

Elements 

• 1 medium (1.5kg) hen
• 1 tbsp olive oil, plus 1 tsp for rubbing the hen
• 1 massive onion, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 200g dried puy lentils, rinsed
• 2 tbsp harissa paste
• 15g flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 10g mint leaves, chopped, plus additional leaves to garnish
• 600ml hen inventory from a dice
• 1 lemon, halved

Methodology

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/fuel mark 6.
2. Rub the hen over with 1 tsp olive oil and season the pores and skin effectively with salt and pepper.
3. Warmth an ovenproof casserole dish on the hob and add 1 tbsp olive oil. 
4. Place the onion within the dish and sauté gently for 10 minutes, till properly softened. 
5. Add the garlic and sauté for an extra 2-3 minutes.
6. Add the lentils, stir effectively, then add the harissa paste, herbs and inventory. Stir the whole lot totally to mix and season very well with salt and pepper.
7. Place the lemon halves at both finish of the casserole, place the seasoned hen within the center and put within the oven to roast for 1 hour and 20 minutes. 
8. About two thirds of the best way by means of, test the lentils and add about 300ml water to the dish if nonetheless very exhausting.
9. After this time, take the hen out and test it’s cooked by piercing the thigh with a pointy knife to make sure the juices are operating clear. If not, return the hen to the oven for an extra 10-Quarter-hour.
10. When it’s cooked, take away from the oven and raise the hen out of the dish (tip any juices from the cavity into the lentils), inserting it on a carving board to relaxation for about 10 minutes.
11. Take away the lemon halves and provides the lentils a stir. 
12. Examine the seasoning and add extra salt or pepper if wanted.
13. Place the lentils in a big serving bowl, then carve up the hen and place on prime with mint leaves to garnish.