Thursday, December 17, 2009

Garlic and Herb Roasted Cornish Game hens

I think I have cooked cornish game hens once a year since I have been married . . . but this time around was the BEST that they have been!!! These were SOOOOOO good! Plus soooo easy to make! My hubby loved them! He is a meat and potatoes man through and through . . . so sitting down to dinner with these bad boys made him happy. I love stuffing the hens with orange . . . not only does it flavor the meat but it helps the bird retain its shape while cooking and stay moist! I may have to make them for Christmas dinner too! This recipe is super easy and SUPER DELISH!Garlic and Herb Roasted Cornish Game Hens
Recipe by: Emily
2 Cornish Game Hens, washed and dried
1/2 tsp dried Tarragon
1/2 tsp dried Thyme
1 tsp Parsley, dried
1 tsp Chives, dried
2-3 Garlic cloves, minced
1 Orange, cut into wedges
4 tbsp Butter, softened
3/4 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black Pepper

1. Combine the butter, herbs, salt and pepper together. Smear each game hen with the butter. Be sure to lift the hen skin and rub the butter underneath and on top of the skin. Lightly sprinkle the hen cavities with salt and pepper and then fill each cavity with the orange wedges. Place hens on a baking sheet and tuck the wings underneath the bodies and then tie the drumbsticks together with kitchen twine. Bake in a 450 degree preheated oven for 55-60 minutes. After 15 minutes cover the hens with foil to keep them from over browning and then remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the skin. Allow hens to rest after baking for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!!!

(You can also use fresh herbs if you have them on hand!!!)

7 comments:

amanda @ fake ginger said...

Yum, it looks delicious! I keep saying I want to try making cornish hens but then I get scared. I definitely need to try your recipe.

teresa said...

mmmm, what a fun and fancy dinner!

Brie Wheelwright said...

I love your blog! I want to do this for Christmas Eve dinner but I will have 10 people to feed. How many people can each Cornish Game Hen feed? Is it just 1 person or could I do 2? I know they're tiny but they're also kind of expensive.
Thanks!

Emily said...

Brie you can cut them in half and give each guest a half game hen and be fine,(If you roast them whole you can use kitchen shears to cut them after they have rested for a few minutes) especially if you have great side dishes to serve . . . one WAY cheap and easy way to fill guests is to serve soup before the main course . . . it can be made days ahead, reheated and served AND it adds a little more glam to the meal! Happy holidays!!!

The Double Dipped Life said...

Yum! I have never had a cornish hen! Maybe that will be my next "project"!

Following your blog now... I thought I already was!

Brie Wheelwright said...

Thanks so much Emaline. I'm going for it and cooking 10 of them for dinner tonight. Wish me luck!

MNM said...
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