Indulge in a culinary masterpiece with our flavor-packed Cornish hens glazed in a tantalizing blend of sweet maple syrup and tangy mustard. These succulent birds are roasted to perfection, resulting in crispy, golden skin and tender, juicy meat that will leave you craving more. Accompany your Cornish hens with a medley of roasted vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts, for a complete and satisfying meal. Elevate your dining experience with our carefully curated selection of delectable recipes, including a classic maple mustard glaze, a zesty lemon herb glaze, and a savory garlic butter glaze. Each glaze offers a unique flavor profile that complements the delicate taste of the Cornish hens, making them the star of any occasion.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
GLAZED CORNISH HENS
If you're looking to add a touch of elegance to your holiday dinner table, we suggest these Cornish game hens topped with a sweet apricot glaze. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h5m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Place hens, breast side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes. , In a small bowl, combine spreadable fruit and orange juice. Spoon some of the apricot mixture over the hens. Bake until golden brown and juices run clear, 30-35 minutes, basting several times with remaining apricot mixture. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 402 calories, Fat 24g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 175mg cholesterol, Sodium 233mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 30g protein.
ROASTED CORNISH GAME HEN WITH MUSTARD GLAZE
A great dinner for two, for weeknight, company or the holidays! Adapted from Gourmet magazine July 1990(via Epicurious).
Provided by Sharon123
Categories Chicken
Time 50m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Remove the backbone from the hen with poultry shears or a sharp knife, place the hen, skin side up, on a work surface, and press down the breastbone to flatten the hen.
- In an ovenproof skillet roast the hen, skin side up, in a preheated 450°F oven for 10 minutes.
- While the hen is roasting, in a small bowl whisk together the oil, the mustard, rosemary, the garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove the hen from the oven, spread the mustard mixture over the skin, and roast the hen for 15 minutes.
- Transfer the hen to a preheated broiler and broil it about 4 inches from the heat for 2-3 minutes. Now put the mustard seed in with the mustard mixture and broil for 2-3 more minutes(this is so the mustard seeds won't burn).
- Transfer the hen to a platter and keep it warm.
- To the skillet add the wine and boil the mixture over high heat until it is reduced by half. Add the broth, boil the mixture for 1 minute, scraping up and brown bits, and add any juices that have accumulated on the platter. Strain the sauce through a fine sieve onto 2 plates. Cut the hen in half with a sharp knife, and arrange each half on top of the sauce.
- Serve and enjoy!
GARAM MASALA RUBBED CORNISH HEN WITH MAPLE-TAMARIND GLAZE
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Season entire hen with salt, including the cavity. Push the wings back and rub the garam masala over the entire hen. Place on a lightly oiled baking rack set over a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Brush with some of the glaze and reduce the heat to 375 degrees F and continue baking until just cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes longer or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the leg registers 160 degrees F. Remove from the oven, brush with the remaining glaze, and let rest 5 minutes before serving. Alternatively, you can sear the hens in an oven-safe saute pan over medium-high heat and then transfer pan to the oven to finish cooking.
- Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and ginger and cook until soft. Add red chili flakes and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in chicken stock and peppercorns and cook until reduced by half. Whisk in maple syrup and tamarind paste and cook for 15 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature before using.
CORNISH HENS WITH MAPLE-MUSTARD GLAZE
Categories Mustard Roast Kid-Friendly Fall Bon Appétit Small Plates
Yield 2 servings; can be doubled or tripled
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine first 4 ingredients in small saucepan. Cook over low heat until butter melts, stirring until well combined.
- Pat hens dry. Tie legs together to hold shape. Place in small baking pan. Season with salt and pepper. Brush with maple mixture. Roast until juices run clear when hens are pierced in thickest part of thighs, basting occasionally with glaze, about 1 hour.
SPICY MAPLE CORNISH HENS
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Pat the game hens dry and place on the prepared rack. Mix the butter, 1/3 cup maple syrup and 2 tablespoons brown sugar with the salt and all the spices in a bowl. Rub the birds with the butter mixture, making sure it gets in all the cavities and under the skin. Reserve any unused butter for later. Sprinkle the hens with a little extra salt and paprika.
- Roast for 30 minutes, then baste with the juices at the bottom of the baking sheet, or a little of the remaining butter. Return to the oven and roast until the juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh (do not touch bone) registers 165 degrees F, another 15 to 30 minutes more. Remove the hens to a cutting board or serving tray to rest and remove the rack. Pour the dry sherry into the hot baking sheet and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits; add a little of the stock if necessary. Transfer the sherry mixture to a small saucepan and add any remaining butter. Melt over medium heat. Meanwhile, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons chicken stock in a small bowl to make a slurry. Add the slurry and the remaining stock to the saucepan along with the remaining 1/3 cup syrup and remaining 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Serve the game hens with the sweet and spicy gravy.
MAPLE-GLAZED CORNISH GAME HENS WITH CARROTS
Maple syrup is an easy, delicious glaze for this quick-cooking bird. Instead of hens, you can substitute a whole chicken; just cook it a bit longer.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes
Time 1h15m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Stir together maple syrup and cumin; season with salt and pepper. Using kitchen twine, tie hen legs together, then tuck wing tips underneath. Place hens on a rimmed baking sheet and rub with 1 teaspoon oil; season with salt and pepper.
- Roast 10 minutes. Remove sheet from oven and add carrots, onion, garlic, and thyme. Toss vegetables with 2 teaspoons oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast 20 minutes.
- Brush hens with maple mixture. Continue to roast, brushing twice more, until juices run clear when hens are pierced between breast and leg or an instant-read thermometer inserted in thickest part of a thigh (avoiding bone) registers 165 degrees, about 15 minutes. Transfer hens to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes. Meanwhile, toss vegetables with lemon juice. Carve hens and serve with vegetables.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 505 g, Fat 27 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 31 g
CORNISH GAME HENS WITH GARLIC AND ROSEMARY
Crusty garlic bread and a nice light Chianti wine complement this meal very well.
Provided by MOONANDBACK
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Cornish Hen Recipes
Time 1h20m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
- Rub hens with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Lightly season hens with salt and pepper. Place 1 lemon wedge and 1 sprig rosemary in cavity of each hen. Arrange in a large, heavy roasting pan, and arrange garlic cloves around hens. Roast in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a mixing bowl, whisk together wine, chicken broth, and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil; pour over hens. Continue roasting about 25 minutes longer, or until hens are golden brown and juices run clear. Baste with pan juices every 10 minutes.
- Transfer hens to a platter, pouring any cavity juices into the roasting pan. Tent hens with aluminum foil to keep warm. Transfer pan juices and garlic cloves to a medium saucepan and boil until liquids reduce to a sauce consistency, about 6 minutes. Cut hens in half lengthwise and arrange on plates. Spoon sauce and garlic around hens. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 814.3 calories, Carbohydrate 9.7 g, Cholesterol 339.7 mg, Fat 57.5 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 59.4 g, SaturatedFat 14.6 g, Sodium 1382.6 mg, Sugar 0.4 g
ROASTED CORNISH HEN WITH MUSTARD SEED TOPPING
Steps:
- Remove the backbone from the hen with poultry shears or a sharp knife, put the hen, skin side up, on a work surface, and press down the breastbone to flatten the hen. In an ovenproof skillet roast the hen, skin side up, in a preheated 450°F. oven for 10 minutes. While the hen is roasting, in a small bowl whisk together the oil, the mustard, the mustard seeds, the rosemary, the garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Remove the hen from the oven, spread the mustard mixture over the skin, and roast the hen for 15 minutes. Transfer the hen to a preheated broiler and broil it about 4 inches from the heat for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the skin is crisp. (Do not let the mustard seeds burn.) Transfer the hen to a platter and keep it warm. To the skillet add the wine and boil the mixture over high heat until it is reduced by half. Add the broth, boil the mixture for 1 minute, scraping up and brown bits, and add any juices that have accumulated on the platter. Strain the sauce through a fine sieve onto 2 plates, cut the hen in half with a sharp knife, and arrange each half on top of the sauce.
ROASTED CORNISH HENS WITH HONEY MUSTARD GLAZE
The original recipe came from "The 21 Cookbook: Recipes and Lore from New York's Fabled Restaurant" by Michael Lomonaco and Donna Forsman. I found the cooking time given was insufficient and the recipe made enough glaze for eight hens, never mind four! Obviously, I will be using the changes I made to the recipe. The end result was a big hit with my family and guests, though!
Provided by Irmgard
Categories Chicken
Time 1h10m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Season the hens inside and out with salt and pepper.
- Place equal portions of bay leaves, garlic, thyme and chili flakes inside the cavity of each hen.
- Brush the hens with oil.
- Place, breast side down, on a rack in a roasting pan.
- Cover and roast in a preheated 375 degree F oven for 40 minutes. Check at this point to see if the leg pulls away easily from the body and the meat is no longer pink. If still pink, roast for another 10 to 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the honey, mustard, vinegar, cumin and cilantro in a bowl.
- Brush over the hens.
- Roast uncovered for another 10 minutes to brown the glaze.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 927.3, Fat 29.7, SaturatedFat 6.8, Cholesterol 619.7, Sodium 687.6, Carbohydrate 20.3, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 17.5, Protein 137
Tips:
- Choose the right Cornish hens: Look for hens that are plump and have a moist appearance. Avoid hens that are thin or have dry skin.
- Prepare the hens properly: Remove any giblets or excess fat from the hens. Rinse the hens inside and out and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Season the hens generously: Use a combination of salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices to season the hens. You can also add a compound butter or dry rub for extra flavor.
- Roast the hens at a high temperature: Cornish hens are small, so they don't need to be cooked for long. Roast them at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make a flavorful glaze: While the hens are roasting, make a glaze using maple syrup, mustard, and your favorite seasonings. Baste the hens with the glaze every 10-15 minutes to keep them moist and flavorful.
- Let the hens rest before serving: Once the hens are cooked, let them rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the meat and make it more tender.
Conclusion:
Cornish hens are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for any occasion. With their mild flavor and moist meat, they are a great choice for both adults and children. By following these tips, you can create a flavorful and juicy Cornish hen that will be a hit at your next meal. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or an impressive dish for a special occasion, give Cornish hens a try!
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