Ingredients

• 1 Poussin
• 2 skewers

• 1½ tbs extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbs sherry vinegar
• 1 tsp mixed herbs
• ½ tsp sweet pimenton (smoked paprika)
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ flaked salt
• ¼ of a medium red onion, finely chopped
• 1 fat garlic clove, finely grated
• peeled skin of  half a lemon, no white pith. Use a sharp vegetable peeler.

  Method

1. First prepare the poussin. The easiest way to do this is use a pair of sharp kitchen scissors and cut down each side of the backbone to remove the backbone and tail. Trim off any bits of spare skin from around the neck area. If you wnat to use a sharp knife to remove the ribs from inside the body cavity.
2. Mix together all the marinade ingredients, and put them with the poussin, in a large plastic zip lock bag and put it in the refrigerator to marinade for a least 2 hours.
3. Heat the oven to 190°C (180°C Fan oven)
4. Remove the bird from the marinade bag and flatten it out the on a chopping board with the skin side.
5. Skewer the bird on each side in an X shape, starting at the drumstick, through the thigh and body cavity, and out through the breast and wing. The skewers will hold the bird flat during cooking.
6. Spread a little of the marinade on the skin, with an extra sprinkle of salt.
7. Roast on a rack in the middle of the oven  for about 30-45 minutes (depending on the size of the bird), until the skin is crispy and the bird is cooked through.
8. Serve with a green salad as a light lunch for two.