BRINE*****Favorite poultry brine

Ingredients

  • Optional:
  • 3/4 cups water
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp. coarse salt
  • 2 tbsp. turbinado sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 piece each of fennel, onion and celery, coarsely chopped
  • 5 - 6 peppercorns
  • 1 handful of fresh herbs, bruised - thyme, parsley, rosemary, oregano, sage, etc.
  • 1 bay leaf, bruised
  • allspice or juniper berries, whole cumin or coriander, anise, pinch of hot pepper flakes, chopped jalapeno pepper, etc., depending on recipe to be used to cook bird.
  • This is enough for a small chicken or cornish hen or guinea fowl.

Preparation

Step 1

* *Heat* water in microwave in a large measuring cup. *Stir* in salt and sugar to dissolve and set aside to cool to room temperature. *Combine* cooled salt water with remaining ingredients.

* *Spatchcock* whole chicken or cornish hen if not cooking whole. *Place* in a large zip-lock set inside a bowl or container. *Pour* in brine and seal bag, removing as much air as possible. *Brine* overnight in fridge, turning occasionally when you open the fridge.

* *When* ready to cook, *remove* from brine, *rinse well* and pat dry. *Allow* to dry at room temp for about 1/2 hour then proceed with whatever recipe you are using.