Ma Cuisine, in a small square in Beaune, Burgundy, is one of the world's great neighborhood restaurants. It also has a remarkable Burgundy-centric wine list; chef-owner Fabienne Escoffier's menu is, of course, wine-friendly and delicious. She coats her poussins with a mix of spices, including a pinch of curry powder, and then roasts them until they're browned and juicy. If you can't find poussins, substitute Cornish hens or 2 small chickens and adjust the cooking time. More Poultry Recipes
How to Make It
In a bowl, combine the shallot, thyme, paprika, curry, ginger, nutmeg, white pepper and cloves. Stir in the oil and season with a large pinch of salt. Set the poussins on a rimmed baking sheet, breast side up; press down to flatten the birds. Spread the spice paste all over, then refrigerate overnight.
Preheat the oven to 425°. In a small saucepan, boil the white wine, garlic, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce over high heat until reduced by a third, about 5 minutes.
Season the poussins with salt and roast for 10 minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 450° and baste the poussins with the wine mixture. Roast for about 20 minutes longer, basting 3 more times with the wine mixture, until the birds are nicely browned and the inner thigh juices run clear. Let the poussins rest for 10 minutes, then serve.