Elevate your holiday feast or special occasion with the exquisite flavors of Cornish Game Hens in Cranberry-Apricot-Brandy Sauce. This regal dish features tender and succulent game hens roasted to perfection, complemented by a luscious sauce made from fresh cranberries, sweet apricots, and a hint of brandy. The result is a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave your guests craving for more. This article presents two delectable variations of the recipe: a classic version with a rich and tangy sauce, and a modern rendition with a sweet and savory glaze. Both recipes offer step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure you create a dish that is both visually stunning and incredibly delicious. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you and your loved ones in awe.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CLEMENTINE AND CRANBERRY GLAZED CORNISH GAME HENS
Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King
Categories main-dish
Time 2h20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a small saucepan, saute the shallots in the butter over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add in the clementine zest and juice, cranberry, brown sugar and rosemary. Simmer until thick, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Season the game hens liberally with salt and pepper. Using a basting brush, paint each bird entirely with the glaze. Cover the wing tips with foil to keep them from blackening too much.
- Place the glazed birds in an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven. Roast for 20 minutes, and then reglaze the birds. Check after 15 more minutes; if the sugars in the glaze are turning too brown, lightly tent the Dutch oven with foil to protect the skins. Baste again after 45 more minutes, then check with an instant-read thermometer after another 5 minutes; the thighs must register at 165 degrees F, the breasts at 170. Let rest for 10 minutes and serve.
APRICOT-GLAZED CORNISH HENS FOR TWO
I found this easy recipe for Cornish hens and prepare it often for my family. The glaze keeps the hens tender and moist, and the skin roasts to a golden glow. It's tasty, too. When the children are gone for the weekend, my husband and I enjoy this meal-perfect for two.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h20m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine the salt and cayenne. Rub a third of the mixture inside hens. Brush 1 tablespoon butter over hens; sprinkle with remaining seasoning mixture. Place on a rack in a shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes., Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine the preserves, honey, onion, nutmeg and remaining butter. Cook and stir until preserves are melted. Brush over hens. Bake 35-40 minutes longer or until golden brown and a thermometer reads 180°. Cover and let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts :
CRANBERRY-STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS
Dried cranberries add plenty of flavor to these Cornish game hens.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dinner Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread out diced bread on a rimmed baking sheet; toastin oven, turning occasionally, until light brown and dry, 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside.
- Raise oven temperature to 450 degrees. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add leek, mushrooms, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; stir in bread, chopped sage, parsley, mustard, thyme, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, and 1/2 cup broth.
- Spoon stuffing into bird cavities; tie legs together with kitchen twine. Rub birds with butter, then sprinkle with pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Arrange birds on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan. Roast until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees, and continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thighs (avoiding bone) registers 170 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer rack with birds to a rimmed baking sheet, and let rest.
- Set roasting pan on top of stove across two burners; set heat to medium-high. Add port and remaining 1/4 cup broth; deglaze pan, scraping up any browned bits from bottom with a wooden spoon. Add remaining 1/4 cup dried cranberries; cook, stirring, until sauce reduces slightly, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Place birds on a serving platter, and drizzle sauce over them. Garnish with sage leaves, if desired, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 487 g, Cholesterol 223 g, Fat 13 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 53 g, Sodium 759 g
CORNISH GAME HENS IN CRANBERRY-APRICOT BRANDY SAUCE
Steps:
- 1) Clean and halve the hens. Bake the hens at 375 degrees about 45 minutes. 2) Heat brandy and cranberries over medium heat until simmering. Carefully light brandy and stir until flame goes out. Add honey and vinegar. 3) Mix cornstarch and cold water, thicken with cornstarch as necessary. Serve over hens with wild rice.
EASY CORNISH GAME HENS
Make and share this Easy Cornish Game Hens recipe from Food.com.
Provided by -------
Categories Wild Game
Time 1h15m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Mix all ingredients except hens.
- Clean & cut hens in half.
- Pour sauce over hens & bake 1 hour at 350°F.
HERB CORNISH HENS WITH CRANBERRY-ORANGE SAUCE
Baked Cornish hens are smothered in a delicious cranberry-orange sauce with a touch of ginger.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 1h35m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. On rack in shallow roasting pan, place hens, breast sides up. Brush with oil. Sprinkle inside and out with salt, dried thyme and pepper. Insert meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of inside thigh and does not touch bone.
- Bake uncovered 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes until juice of hens is clear when thickest pieces are cut to bone (at least 165°F).
- Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat cranberry sauce over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted. Stir in marmalade, gingerroot and clementine sections. Cook 1 minute.
- To serve, cut each hen in half along backbone and breastbone from tail to neck, using kitchen scissors. Serve hens with warm sauce. Garnish with thyme sprigs.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 770, Carbohydrate 29 g, Cholesterol 320 mg, Fat 5, Fiber 0 g, Protein 55 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 470 mg, Sugar 25 g, TransFat 1 g
APRICOT GLAZED CORNISH HENS
From my Land-O-Lakes recipe book. Stuffed Cornish Hens with apricot and marjoram glaze add spark to this recipe.
Provided by daisygrl64
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 2h20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- heat oven to 375*F.
- in a medium bowl mix together all stuffing ingredients (except preserves, butter and wine).
- in a 1 qt saucepan melt 1/2 cup apricot preserves and 1/4 cup butter, stir into stuffing, add 2 to 3 tablespoons wine to moisten stuffing.
- stuff hens with stuffing, secure opening with toothpicks.
- tuck wing under hen, place hens breast side up in roasting pan, bake for 1 hour.
- meanwhile in same saucepan combine all sauce ingredients.
- cook over medium heat stirring occasionally until melted (2 to 3 minutes).
- brush hens with half of sauce and continue baking uncovered for 40 to 50 minutes or until hens are fork tender.
- if hens browning to quickly cover them loosely with aluminum foil.
- Serve with remaining sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 786.8, Fat 43.2, SaturatedFat 24, Cholesterol 309, Sodium 852.4, Carbohydrate 49.2, Fiber 1, Sugar 23.6, Protein 50.2
CORNISH GAME HENS WITH SWEET-POTATO RISOTTO AND CRANBERRY SAUCE
Categories Cheese Rice Bake High Fiber Cranberry Sweet Potato/Yam Fall Winter Bon Appétit
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Bring first 4 ingredients to simmer in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil until reduced to 1 cup, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes. Puree sauce in processor. Strain into small bowl. (Sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, cover and chill.)
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Place game hens, cut side down, on small baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake 30 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 450°F. Continue baking until juices run clear when thickest part of thigh is pierced, about 20 minutes longer.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add yams, onion and ginger; sauté until yams are tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Cook rice in small saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes. Drain rice. Add rice to yam mixture in skillet. Add Riesling and stir over low heat to blend. Add mascarpone and stir to melt. Season with salt and pepper.
- Rewarm sauce. Spoon risotto onto plates. Top with hen. Sprinkle with nuts, parsley and orange peel. Drizzle sauce around risotto.
- *Italian cream cheese, available at Italian markets and many supermarkets. If unavailable, blend 8 ounces cream cheese with 1/4 cup whipping cream and 2 1/2 tablespoons sour cream. Use 2/3 cup mixture for the recipe.
CORNISH GAME HENS WITH APRICOT SAUCE
This recipe for moist Cornish hens with apricot sauce comes from Janet Reynolds of Leesburg, Virginia.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dinner Recipes
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450. Using kitchen twine, tie hens legs together; tuck wing tips underneath. Rub hens with a total of 1 tablespoon oil and 3/4 teaspoon thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Place hens, breast side up, on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding bone) registers 165, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer to a platter. Cover loosely with aluminum foil; let rest 5 to 10 minutes.
- While hens are roasting, make sauce: In a large skillet with a lid, heat remaining oil over medium; add onion and garlic, and cook until soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Add wine, and simmer until reduced by half, 3 to 5 minutes. Add broth, cream, honey, lemon juice, and apricots; raise heat to high, and boil until mixture (including solids) is reduced to 2 cups, 12 to 15 minutes. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids. Return sauce to skillet; season with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm.
- Meanwhile, prepare couscous according to package instructions. Add remaining thyme, and season with salt and pepper; fluff with a fork. Halve hens; serve with couscous and sauce.
CORNISH GAME HENS WITH CRANBERRY SAUCE
Provided by Pierre Franey
Categories dinner, main course
Time 1h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
- Put the game hens in a shallow, flameproof baking dish without crowding. Rub the hens all over with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cut the onion in half and place the halves, cut side down, around the hens. Arrange the gizzards and livers around the hens.
- Place the baking dish with hens on top of the stove over low heat. Turn the hens around in the dish to coat with the oil. Arrange the hens on their sides. Place in the oven and bake 15 minutes, basting often.
- Turn the hens to other side and continue baking 15 minutes, basting often.
- Turn the hens breast side up and continue baking about 10 minutes, basting often.
- Transfer the hens to a heated serving platter and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Skim off most of the fat from the pan liquid in the baking dish. Put the baking dish on top of the stove and bring the pan liquid to a boil. Add the wine and stir to dissolve any brown particles that may cling to the bottom of the pan. Strain the sauce into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook down to about half and add the honey, chicken broth and tomato paste. Stir. Add any liquid that has accumulated inside or around the hens. Add the cranberries and bring to a boil.
- Cook until the cranberries pop, about 3 minutes, stirring often. Swirl in the butter. Add salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the hens and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 834, UnsaturatedFat 37 grams, Carbohydrate 16 grams, Fat 57 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 59 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 1161 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams, TransFat 0 grams
APRICOT-GLAZED CORNISH HENS
The sweetness from the apricot preserves combined with Sriracha adds a nice twist on the traditional roasted cornish hen.
Provided by CookingWithShelia
Categories Cornish Hens
Time 1h25m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a cookie sheet generously with cooking spray.
- Combine apricot preserves, Sriracha, Worcestershire, and butter in a small pot and melt over medium heat. Stir constantly to prevent from sticking.
- Clean hens and pat dry with paper towels. Coat outsides and insides with oil. Season with mango-habanero seasoning; insert sprigs of basil inside of the hens.
- Place hens on the prepared cookie sheet and cover with foil.
- Cook in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove foil and baste with apricot glaze. Put back in the oven and cook until no longer pink in the centers, about 15 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 385.8 calories, Carbohydrate 52.9 g, Cholesterol 110.7 mg, Fat 10.2 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 23.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 314.3 mg, Sugar 35.2 g
CRANBERRY-GLAZED CORNISH HENS
Oregon is noted for its cranberry production and has many bogs throughout the state. In the Northwest, we use cranberries in a great variety of ways-in sauce, as a complement to meats, and in baked goods like cakes and muffins.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h5m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In 1-qt. saucepan, combine the gravy, cranberry sauce, mustard and orange zest. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until glaze is smooth., Cut hens in half lengthwise; rinse and pat dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on rack with drip pan, skin side down; spoon half of the glaze over hens. , Bake at 400° for 20 minutes. Turn hens; bake 25 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 180°, basting occasionally with remaining glaze., Serve on bed of wild rice and garnish with twists of thinly sliced orange.
Nutrition Facts : Fat 63 g fat (17 g saturated fat), Cholesterol 450 mg cholesterol, Sodium 504 mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12 g carbohydrate, Fiber trace fiber, Protein 77 g protein.
Tips:
- Brine the Cornish game hens: This will help them stay moist and flavorful during cooking.
- Use a flavorful cooking liquid: The combination of cranberry juice, apricot preserves, and brandy in this recipe creates a delicious sauce that infuses the hens with flavor.
- Cook the hens until they are golden brown and cooked through: Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F.
- Let the hens rest before serving: This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it even more tender and flavorful.
- Serve the hens with your favorite sides: Some popular options include mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad.
Conclusion:
Cornish game hens are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for a variety of occasions. This recipe for Cornish game hens in cranberry-apricot-brandy sauce is a great way to elevate this classic dish. The combination of sweet and savory flavors in the sauce is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you're looking for a special dish to serve, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love