Indulge your taste buds with the tantalizing flavors of Cornish hens, masterfully roasted to perfection and complemented by a delightful apple-raisin stuffing. This culinary masterpiece offers a symphony of textures and flavors, where the succulent chicken pairs harmoniously with the sweet and tangy stuffing. The recipe provides step-by-step instructions to guide you in creating this delectable dish, ensuring a memorable meal that will impress your family and friends. Additionally, the article features a collection of irresistible recipes that showcase the versatility of Cornish hens. From a classic roasted Cornish hen with herbs and lemon to a tantalizing dish featuring a wild rice and sausage stuffing, each recipe promises a unique culinary experience. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook seeking new culinary adventures, this comprehensive guide has something to satisfy every palate. Embark on a culinary journey and discover the endless possibilities of Cornish hens, transforming your next meal into an unforgettable feast.
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CORNISH HENS WITH APPLE-RAISIN STUFFING
A special holiday entrée for eight that needs just 30 minutes of preparation.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 1h45m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. In 10-inch skillet, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add onions and apple; cook and stir until tender. Stir in remaining stuffing ingredients. In ungreased 15x10x1-inch pan, spread stuffing.
- Split each game hen in half. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Place hen halves, skin side up, over stuffing. In 1-quart saucepan, melt jelly with 2 tablespoons butter over low heat; brush over hens.
- Bake uncovered 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until hens are fork-tender and until juice of hens is clear when thickest pieces are cut to bone (at least 165°F).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 810, Carbohydrate 57 g, Cholesterol 260 mg, Fat 5, Fiber 2 g, Protein 48 g, SaturatedFat 14 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 780 mg, Sugar 16 g, TransFat 1 g
STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS WITH PINE NUTS AND RAISINS
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine the raisins and brandy in a small bowl. Set aside for about 15 minutes to allow the raisins to plump slightly.
- Trim the crusts from the bread and cut the slices into 1/2-inch cubes. Place the bread cubes on a baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and transfer the cubes to a mixing bowl. Set aside. Do not turn off the oven.
- Fill a large mixing bowl with lightly salted cold water and, 1 at a time, thoroughly rinse each hen in the salted water. Place the rinsed hens under cold running water to remove excess salt. Drain well and pat dry. Set aside.
- Drain the liquid from the raisins, separately reserving both the raisins and the liquid.
- Combine the oil with 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the celery, onion and 1 tablespoon of the garlic and saute for 3 minutes. Add the reserved soaking liquid from the raisins and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated. Stir in the parsley, pine nuts, and reserved raisins. Scrape the mixture into the reserved toasted bread cubes and add just enough chicken stock or broth to moisten without letting the bread cubes get soggy. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
- Using a large spoon, lightly push some stuffing into the cavity of each bird. (Do not pack the stuffing in tightly or it will get very soggy and may not cook properly).
- Combine the remaining butter and garlic and coat each hen with a light layer of the seasoned butter. Sprinkle lightly with paprika and season to taste with salt and pepper. Place the hens in a roasting pan. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven. Roast for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to roast for an additional 20 minutes or until the hens are golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the bird and into the stuffing reads 165 degrees. Remove from the oven and serve.
STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS
THIS ENTREE makes an ordinary day special. Whenever I cook Cornish hens for my husband and me, it stirs up warm memories of family times around the holiday dinner table. I bake the extra stuffing separately so we're sure to have enough. -Nancy Aubrey, Ruidoso, New Mexico
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h20m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large skillet or saucepan, saute celery and onion in 2 tablespoons butter until tender. Remove from the heat. Stir in cornbread, bread crumbs, pimientos, broth, egg, poultry seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; mix well. , Stuff each hen with 3/4 cup stuffing. Place extra stuffing in a greased 1-qt. baking dish; refrigerate. Place hens breast side up on a rack in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Cover loosely with foil; bake at 375° for 45 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt the remaining butter; add garlic, lemon zest, mint and remaining salt and pepper. Brush over hens. Bake 15-30 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 180° for hens and 165° for stuffing. Bake the extra stuffing, covered, for 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1728 calories, Fat 106g fat (44g saturated fat), Cholesterol 601mg cholesterol, Sodium 3675mg sodium, Carbohydrate 106g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 82g protein.
CORNISH GAME HENS WITH RICE STUFFING
My mother used to make this for Easter dinner. The rice stuffing is a perfect partner for the hens. Packaged wild rice mix can be used as well.
Provided by MOMMYCOFFEY
Categories 100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes
Time 2h10m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the almonds, onion, and uncooked wild rice. Saute 5 to 10 minutes. Mix in the water, chicken bouillon cube, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook 45 minutes until rice is tender and easily fluffed with a fork.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Season the Cornish game hens inside and out with salt, and stuff with the rice mixture. Place the hens breast side up on a rack in a baking pan. Brush with 1/4 cup melted butter.
- Cover the baking pan, and cook the hens 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Uncover, and continue cooking 1 hour, or until the hens are no longer pink and the juices run clear.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 396.9 calories, Carbohydrate 11.3 g, Cholesterol 128.9 mg, Fat 32.3 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 15.8 g, SaturatedFat 15.8 g, Sodium 1341.1 mg, Sugar 0.7 g
CORNISH HENS WITH RICE STUFFING
I came across this recipe a few years ago around Thanksgiving. The golden, juicy hens and festive rice stuffing make a memorable feast for two. Best of all, we're not eating leftovers for days on end.-Kathy Meyer, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h50m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Set the seasoning packet from rice mix aside. In a saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add rice and pecans; cook and stir over low heat for 10 minutes or until rice is golden brown. Stir in the orange juice, water, raisins and contents of seasoning packet; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. , Spoon about 1/2 cup rice mixture into each hen; refrigerate remaining rice mixture. Tie legs of each hen together; turn wing tips under backs. Place on a greased rack in a roasting pan. Melt remaining butter; brush over hens. Sprinkle with salt and pepper., Bake at 350° for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until a thermometer reads 165° when inserted in center of stuffing and thigh reaches at least 170°. Baste occasionally with pan drippings. Heat reserved rice mixture; serve with hens.
Nutrition Facts : Fat 75 g fat (20 g saturated fat), Cholesterol 328 mg cholesterol, Sodium 1,993 mg sodium, Carbohydrate 97 g carbohydrate, Fiber 5 g fiber, Protein 64 g protein.
CORNISH HENS WITH APPLE-RAISIN STUFFING
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- 1. Heat oven to 350°F. Melt 3 tablespoons margarine in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and apple cook and stir until tender. Stir in remaining stuffing ingredients.2. Remove and discard neck and giblets from game hens. Split each game hen in half. Rinse game hens with cold water pat dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.3. Spread stuffing in ungreased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Place game hens, skin side up, over stuffing.4. In small saucepan over low heat, melt jelly with 2 tablespoons margarine. Brush over game hens.5. Bake at 350°F. for 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until game hens are fork-tender and juices run clear.Nutrition Information Per Serving: Serving Size: 1/8 of Recipe * Calories: 400 * Calories from Fat: 140 * % Daily Value: Total Fat: 16 g 25% * Saturated Fat: 4 g 20% * Cholesterol: 100 mg 33% * Sodium: 430 mg 18% * Total Carbohydrate: 29 g 10% * Dietary Fiber: 2 g 8% * Sugars: 15 g * Protein: 34 g * Vitamin A: 8% * Vitamin C: 4% * Calcium: 6% * Iron: 15% * Dietary Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Fruit, 4 1/2 Lean Meat, 1/2 Fat or 2 Carbohydrate, 4 1/2 Meat, 1/2 Fat
Nutrition Facts : Nutritional Facts Serves
Tips:
- Choose the right Cornish hens: Look for hens that are about 1-1.5 pounds each, with plump breasts and smooth skin.
- Prepare the hens properly: Rinse the hens inside and out and pat them dry. Remove any excess fat and giblets. To spatchcock the hens, use kitchen shears to cut along the backbone on both sides. Open the hens flat and press down on the breastbone to flatten them.
- Make the stuffing ahead of time: This will give the flavors time to meld. You can also use a store-bought stuffing mix if you're short on time.
- Stuff the hens loosely: Don't pack the stuffing in too tightly, or it will be dry and dense. Leave some room for the stuffing to expand as it cooks.
- Roast the hens until they are cooked through: The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
- Let the hens rest before carving: This will help the juices redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful.
Conclusion:
Cornish hens with apple-raisin stuffing is a classic dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The combination of tender, juicy chicken and flavorful stuffing is sure to please everyone at the table. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make this dish at home.
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