Directions
Step 1
Brine the hen: To a big pot, add the salt, peppercorns, sugar, rosemary, lemon halves and juice, and 2½ quarts of water. Convey to a boil, then flip the warmth all the way down to simmer for half-hour. Take away from the warmth, add 1 cup of ice cubes, and put aside to chill to room temperature. Pressure the brine, discarding the solids, then return it to the empty pot; add the hen and extra water as wanted to submerge. Cowl and refrigerate for not less than 12 and as much as 24 hours.
Step 2
If you find yourself able to roast the hen, place a rack within the middle of the oven and preheat to 375°F. Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Drain the hen, discarding the brine, and place on the wire rack, breast-side up. Utilizing paper towels, pat the hen dry, then put aside at room temperature.
Step 3
Make the stuffing: Grease an 8- by 8-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the butter. Wash and dry the pot, return it to excessive warmth, and add the oil. As soon as the oil is sizzling, add the celery, carrots, onion, and garlic and prepare dinner, stirring sometimes, till the greens start to melt, 5–7 minutes. Add the half-and-half and inventory, season to style with salt and black pepper, flip the warmth to medium-low, and convey to a simmer. Take away from the warmth and stir within the bread, adopted by half of the cheese. Switch two-thirds of the stuffing to the baking dish and high with the remaining cheese. To a meals processor, add the remaining stuffing and pulse till easy, including a bit extra inventory if the combination is just too dry to course of. Utilizing your fingers, separate the hen pores and skin from the breast, then, utilizing a spoon, pack the puréed stuffing underneath the pores and skin. Utilizing kitchen twine, tie the legs collectively, then gently pat the pores and skin throughout to evenly distribute the stuffing. Rub the remaining butter everywhere in the pores and skin, then roast the hen till the pores and skin is golden and a thermometer inserted into the thickest a part of the thigh reads 160°F, about 1 hour and quarter-hour. Take away from the oven and put aside to relaxation for 20 minutes.
Step 4
In the meantime, bake the remaining stuffing till the cheese has melted, 15–20 minutes. Flip the broiler to excessive and proceed cooking till the cheese is browned and bubbly, 2–4 minutes extra. Take away from the oven and put aside.
Step 5
Carve the hen, rigorously eradicating the stuffed breasts in two entire items earlier than slicing. Switch the meat to a platter and serve sizzling with the baked stuffing on the aspect.
