Stuffed Cornish Game Hens with Cranberry Glaze
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Description:
Looking to elevate your holiday dinner game? Look no further than these Stuffed Cornish Game Hens with Cranberry Glaze! π¦β¨ This recipe, shared with me by a dear friend, has become a staple for my Christmas Eve dinners, earning rave reviews and leaving guests craving for more. It’s a perfect blend of savory and sweet, making it a delightful centerpiece for any festive occasion. Whether it’s Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any special gathering, this dish is sure to impress your loved ones.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups cranberries
- 3/4 cup dry red wine
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 1/3 cup chopped celery
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 2 cups French bread cubes
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 4 Cornish game hens
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Glaze:
- In a saucepan, combine the cranberries and red wine. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the cranberries to soften and release their juices.
- Stir in the honey and continue to simmer for an additional 2 minutes, until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Strain the glaze to remove any solids, then stir in the olive oil. Set the glaze aside to cool while you prepare the stuffing and hens.
-
Prepare the Stuffing:
- In another saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, celery, and dried cranberries to the pan. SautΓ© for about 3 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and fragrant.
- Transfer the sautΓ©ed mixture to a large bowl containing the French bread cubes. Allow it to cool slightly.
- Once cooled, stir in the chicken broth, chopped parsley, dried sage, dried thyme, salt, and pepper, ensuring that all the ingredients are well combined.
-
Stuff and Roast the Game Hens:
- Preheat your oven to 450Β°F (230Β°C).
- Stuff each Cornish game hen with the prepared stuffing, ensuring to tie the drumsticks together with kitchen string to keep everything intact.
- Place the stuffed hens in a roasting pan, arranging them evenly.
- Brush a generous amount of the cranberry glaze over each game hen, ensuring they are well coated. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper if desired.
- Roast the hens in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, allowing them to develop a golden crust.
- After 20 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350Β°F (175Β°C) and continue roasting for an additional 45 minutes, or until the hens are cooked through and the juices run clear.
- Throughout the cooking process, baste the hens with the remaining glaze every 15 minutes, ensuring they stay moist and flavorful.
- Once cooked, remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
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Serve and Enjoy:
- Carefully cut and remove the kitchen strings from the hens.
- Serve the Stuffed Cornish Game Hens with Cranberry Glaze hot, alongside your favorite side dishes or holiday trimmings.
- Watch as your guests marvel at the impressive presentation and savor each succulent bite, savoring the harmonious blend of flavors in this festive masterpiece.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 768.5
- Fat: 17.9g
- Saturated Fat: 5.1g
- Cholesterol: 225.1mg
- Sodium: 1225mg
- Carbohydrates: 82.6g
- Fiber: 6.8g
- Sugar: 16.8g
- Protein: 58.9g
Recipe Notes and Tips:
- For a twist, consider adding some chopped nuts or dried fruits to the stuffing mixture for added texture and flavor.
- Make sure to baste the hens regularly during roasting to keep them moist and flavorful.
- Leftover cranberry glaze can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week and used as a delicious condiment for other dishes or as a glaze for roasted meats.
- To save time, you can prepare the stuffing and cranberry glaze ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until ready to use. Just remember to bring them to room temperature before stuffing the hens and roasting.
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings and spices in the stuffing according to your personal preferences. Add more herbs for a robust flavor or increase the honey for a sweeter glaze.
- Serve these Stuffed Cornish Game Hens with Cranberry Glaze alongside roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad for a complete and satisfying meal that will leave everyone craving for more.
