Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons lemon juice
• 1  tablespoon snipped fresh oregano
• 2  teaspoons olive oil
• 3  cloves garlic, minced
• 1  teaspoon snipped fresh thyme
• 1/2  teaspoon salt
• 1/4  teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1  9-ounce package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
• 8  ounces small potatoes or tiny new potatoes, quartered
• 2  1-1/2-pound Cornish game hens
•   Lemon slices (optional)
•   Fresh oregano leaves and thyme sprigs (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine lemon juice, snipped oregano, olive oil, garlic, snipped thyme, salt, and pepper. Add artichoke hearts and potato; toss gently to coat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer artichokes and potato to another bowl; reserve garlic mixture.

2. Rinse hens; pat dry with paper towels. Tie drumsticks to the tails using 100-percent-cotton string. Tie wing tips to the breasts. Brush hens with some of the garlic mixture. Arrange hens on one side of a rack in a large roasting pan. Arrange artichoke hearts and potato on the opposite side of rack. Drizzle hens and vegetables with remaining garlic mixture.

3. Place roasting pan on middle rack of oven. Roast about 50 minutes or until juices of the hens run clear (180 degrees F) and vegetables are tender.

4. Arrange hens on a serving platter. Using a slotted spoon, transfer vegetables to platter. If desired, garnish platter with lemon slices, oregano leaves, and thyme sprigs. Using kitchen shears or a long heavy knife, cut the string between drumsticks and around breasts. Carefully cut hens in half lengthwise. Makes 4 servings.