Best 4 Roasted Game Hens With Caramelized Root Vegetables And Dried Currant Sauce Recipes

Welcome to a culinary journey that blends the rustic charm of roasted game hens with the vibrant symphony of caramelized root vegetables and a tantalizing dried currant sauce. This exceptional dish promises an explosion of flavors and textures that will captivate your senses.

Our culinary adventure begins with succulent game hens, roasted to perfection. Their tender meat, imbued with a hint of gaminess, harmonizes beautifully with the earthy sweetness of caramelized root vegetables. Carrots, parsnips, and turnips, roasted until golden brown, provide a delightful contrast in both flavor and texture.

To elevate this dish to new heights, a luscious dried currant sauce takes center stage. Plump currants, infused with a symphony of aromatic spices and the subtle tang of red wine, create a rich and complex sauce that complements the game hens and vegetables flawlessly.

As you delve deeper into this article, you'll discover a treasure trove of culinary delights. From the classic elegance of roasted game hens with wild rice and bacon to the rustic charm of skillet-roasted game hens with winter vegetables, each recipe offers a unique interpretation of this versatile bird.

Whether you're seeking a special occasion centerpiece or a comforting weeknight meal, this article has something for every palate. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your oven, and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds singing.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

NEW ENGLAND ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS

New England Roasted Cornish Game Hens image

Make and share this New England Roasted Cornish Game Hens recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Millereg

Categories Poultry

Time 6h25m

Yield 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 lemon, juice only
4 fluid ounces olive oil
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
3 teaspoons dried rosemary
2 bay leaves
1 -2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
salt
pepper, to taste
2 Cornish hens
unsalted butter, melted

Steps:

Split the hens and remove the ribs and backbone.
Combine all above except butter and marinate the hens for 2 to 6 hours.
Bring them to room temperature before cooking.
Preheat oven to 500°F.
Remove the hens from the marinade and pat more or less dry.
Arrange in an oven dish (single layer), brush with butter, sprinkle with salt and pepper and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, brushing with butter once or twice during cooking.

ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS

Roasted Cornish Game Hens image

Go for a different kind of bird by stuffing and cooking the Neelys' Roasted Cornish Game Hens recipe from Down Home with the Neelys on Food Network.

Provided by Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network

Categories main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons lemon-pepper
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 Cornish game hens, about 1 1/2 pounds each, rinsed and dried thoroughly
1 green bell pepper, large dice
2 stalks celery, large dice
1 onion, large dice

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
In a small mixing bowl, stir together salt, lemon pepper, dried basil and poultry seasoning. Rub olive oil all over the hens and season each with the salt mixture. Place the hens on a baking sheet pan with plenty of space between them. You may need to use 2 pans. Loosely stuff the cavities of each hen with some green bell pepper, celery and onion. Roast the hens in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the juices run clear. Remove the hens from the oven, loosely tent with foil and let rest 10 minutes before carving or serving.

ROASTED GAME HEN WITH ROOT VEGETABLES

Roasted Game Hen with Root Vegetables image

Instead of the usual roast chicken, why not give game hen the oven treatment? It cooks way faster, and the pan juices make a delicious sauce when combined with Dijon, lemon juice, capers, and fresh tarragon.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 Cornish game hen (1 3/4 pounds), trimmed of excess fat
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3 medium carrots, peeled and quartered lengthwise
1/2 small celery root, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch matchsticks
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, plus more for serving
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons capers in brine, drained and coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves

Steps:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees with racks in top and bottom. Place hen, breast-side down, on a work surface. Using kitchen shears, cut along both sides of backbone to remove. Flip over; split lengthwise with a heavy knife. Pat dry; season with salt and pepper. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss vegetables with 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Transfer sheet to bottom rack of oven.
In an ovenproof skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high. Add hen, skin-side down; cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Flip; transfer skillet to top rack of oven. Roast, stirring vegetables once, until golden, and a thermometer inserted into thickest part of hen thigh reads 165 degrees, 18 to 20 minutes for hen, and 25 to 28 minutes for vegetables. Transfer hen and vegetables to a platter. Return skillet to medium heat; whisk in mustard, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon water, and capers. Cook until reduced slightly, about 1 minute. Stir in tarragon; spoon over vegetables. Serve, with more mustard.

HERB-ROASTED GAME HENS

Herb-Roasted Game Hens image

These golden Cornish hens, shown at right, are seasoned with basil, sage and thyme for plenty of flavor. They're simple to prepare yet make any occasion seem special. For a fast finish, serve corn bread stuffing and chunky cinnamon applesauce...or roasted cubed potatoes with pepper and carrots plus instant chocolate pudding for dessert.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning

Steps:

Place hens, breast side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Spoon over hens. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-60 minutes or a thermometer reads 180°.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips:

Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all of your ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and prevent any scrambling.
Seasoning: Don't be afraid to season your game hens and vegetables generously. This will help to enhance their flavor.
Cooking Temperature: Make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature before you start cooking. This will help to ensure that your game hens and vegetables cook evenly.
Basting: Baste your game hens with the pan juices every 20 minutes or so. This will help to keep them moist and prevent them from drying out.
Caramelizing the Vegetables: To caramelize the vegetables, cook them over medium-high heat until they start to brown. Then, reduce the heat to low and cook them for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until they are tender.
Making the Sauce: To make the dried currant sauce, simply combine the currants, wine, and honey in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.

Conclusion:

This roasted game hens recipe with caramelized root vegetables and dried currant sauce is a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The game hens are roasted to perfection and the vegetables are tender and flavorful. The dried currant sauce adds a touch of sweetness and acidity that complements the game hens and vegetables perfectly. This dish is sure to impress your guests!