Cornish Game Hens With Orange Sauce
🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
🕒 Cook Time: 1 hour
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
🥘 Recipe Yield: Serves 2
Description:
Indulge in the exquisite flavors of Cornish Game Hens With Orange Sauce, a delectable poultry dish that combines succulent game hens with a zesty orange-infused sauce. Perfect for any occasion, this dish is sure to impress with its balance of savory and citrusy notes.
Ingredients:
- 2 Cornish game hens
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2/3 cup water
- Juice of 3 oranges
Instructions:
-
Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
-
Prepare Hens: Rinse the Cornish game hens under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
-
Butter Rub: Rub each hen with softened butter, ensuring an even coating to enhance flavor and moisture.
-
Season Hens: In a small bowl, combine minced garlic, chopped onion, chopped parsley, salt, and brown sugar. Mix well and sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the buttered hens, ensuring they are well-coated.
-
Bake Hens: Place the seasoned hens on a rack in a baking pan to allow for even cooking. Cover the pan with aluminum foil, creating a tent to lock in moisture. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
-
Prepare Orange Sauce: While the hens are baking, prepare the orange sauce. In a saucepan, combine cornstarch and brown sugar, ensuring they are thoroughly mixed.
-
Add Liquid Ingredients: Gradually add water and freshly squeezed orange juice to the cornstarch and sugar mixture. Stir continuously to prevent lumps from forming and ensure a smooth consistency.
-
Cook Sauce: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.
-
Add Sauce to Hens: After 45 minutes of baking, remove the foil tent from the hens. Pour half of the prepared orange sauce over the hens, ensuring they are generously coated. Return the hens to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize and infuse the hens with its citrusy flavor.
-
Baste Hens: While the hens are baking, baste them once or twice with the pan juices to keep them moist and flavorful.
-
Serve: Once the hens are fully cooked and golden brown, remove them from the oven. Serve the Cornish game hens hot, accompanied by the remaining orange sauce on the side for drizzling or dipping.
-
Enjoy: Indulge in the tender, flavorful meat of the Cornish game hens, complemented by the tangy sweetness of the orange sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and serve alongside your favorite side dishes for a memorable dining experience.
This Cornish Game Hens With Orange Sauce recipe is perfect for special occasions or weeknight dinners when you want to elevate your meal with sophisticated flavors and minimal effort. Treat yourself and your loved ones to this culinary delight and savor every bite!
