Ingredients

• 1/4 cup chopped basil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped rosemary
• 1 tablespoon thyme leaves
• 2 fresh bay leaves, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 small garlic cloves, chopped
• 4 poussins (1 to 1 1/4 pound each) or small Cornish hens, backbones cut out and birds split in half

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Instructions

1. Blend together herbs, oil, garlic, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a blender until finely chopped, then rub all over poussins.
2. Prepare grill for indirect-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas); see Grilling Procedure .
3. Oil grill rack, then grill poussins, skin sides down first, directly over coals, turning once, until well browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Move poussins to area with no coals underneath and grill, covered, until just cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer poussins to a platter and let stand 10 minutes.