Stuffed hen recipe

Ingredients

• 1 whole hen (or substitute 1 whole chicken)
• 6 ounces minced meat
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 ounces mortadella, finely chopped
• 2 eggs
• Fresh bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons grated parmigiano or pecorino
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Chopped parsley
• Chopped aromatic vegetables (onion, carrot and celery)
• Nutmeg
• Salt and freshly ground pepper

1. In a skillet, melt the butter. Add the meat, and cook until brown. Transfer to a bowl and mix with the mortadella.
2. Add the eggs, the bread crumbs previously soaked in water, the cheese, garlic and parsley. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg, and mix well. Set aside.
3. Bring a pot of water to a boil with the chopped aromatic vegetables.
4. Stuff the hen with the mortadella mixture, and truss with butcher’s string so that the filling remains inside during cooking.
5. Place the stuffed hen in the boiling water and cook over low heat for about 2 hours.
6. To serve, slice the hen, and accompany with the filling.