By Rob Byers & Tara Tuckwiller

No matter what they’re called, there’s nothing gamy about Rock Cornish Game hens, and there never has been. In fact, nowadays, there’s very little that’s Cornish about them. They would be tough to find in a British store. No, this is an American creation, fueled by one man’s dream of a chicken in every pot - or in this case, two little chickens.

In 1965, Donald John Tyson of Tyson Chicken fame crossed White Rock and Cornish hens in hopes of making a little specialty bird that would appeal to gourmets.

Apparently, it worked.

The birds’ popularity is fueled by the showiness of the dish, the ease of preparation and the mild flavor, which allows cooks to experiment with unique marinades and glazes.

By the way, they’re not all hens. Males are included, too. And, as for the “game” in the name, it seems to come from the more common name for the actual Cornish hens of Cornwall: Indian game. There’s more to this story, but unless you plan on breeding your own poultry, it’s highly unlikely that you care.

Depending on your appetite, or that of your guests, it’s safe to assume one bird per person - although a half will often suffice. The standard size for Rock Cornish Game hens is between 1 and 2 pounds. These hens can be stuffed and roasted like regular chickens, with wild rice as a favored accompaniment.

Splitting the bird makes a more elegant presentation, and allows for easier grilling, a popular way to cook the birds this time of year. Use sharp kitchen scissors or special poultry shears and cut from back to front through the breastbone. Spread the bird apart with your hands, then flip it and cut along one side of the backbone. With the bird in half, cut along the other side of the backbone and discard.

Simply grilling or roasting Cornish game hens will result in little flavor. As mentioned above, their taste is mild, so always go for the brine, marinade, rub, whatever.

And keep an eye on Cornish game hens during grilling. Flare-ups can quickly turn these small birds from golden brown to black.