๐ฅ๐๐ฝ๏ธ Vegetable Stuffing for Cornish Game Hens ๐ฅ๐๐ฝ๏ธ
๐ Prep Time: 20 minutes
๐ Cook Time: 5 minutes
๐ Total Time: 25 minutes
๐ฝ๏ธ Recipe Yield: 4 Cornish hens stuffing
๐ Description: This delightful stuffing recipe is not just for poultry lovers; it’s a flavorful dish that stands out on its own. Perfectly seasoned with a mix of vegetables, it’s an ideal option for those with dietary restrictions, making it vegan, egg-free, lactose-free, and kosher. This recipe is designed for four Cornish hens, but it’s versatile enough to be enjoyed as a side dish or accompaniment to any main course. Plus, it’s quick and easy, ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for any occasion, especially during the festive Christmas season.
๐ฅฆ Ingredients:
- 1 carrot
- 1 celery stalk
- 1/3 leek
- 3/4 cup mushrooms
- 3/4 onion
- 2 tbsp butter or margarine
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 3 cups bread crumbs
๐ Instructions:
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Prepare Vegetables: Start by finely chopping the carrot, celery, leek, mushrooms, and onion.
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Sautรฉ Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the butter or margarine over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables to the skillet and sautรฉ for about 3 minutes until they start to soften and release their flavors.
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Season: Sprinkle thyme, salt, and pepper over the sautรฉed vegetables, ensuring they are evenly coated with the seasoning.
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Mix Bread Crumbs: Add the bread crumbs to the skillet with the seasoned vegetables. Gently mix everything together until the bread crumbs are well incorporated and evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
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Cool Mixture: Allow the vegetable and bread crumb mixture to cool before using it to stuff the Cornish hens. This ensures that the stuffing maintains its texture and doesn’t become too soggy when baked.
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Stuff Birds: Once the stuffing mixture has cooled, use it to stuff the cavity of each Cornish hen, ensuring that they are evenly filled but not overly packed.
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Bake: If you’re cooking all four Cornish hens, place them in a preheated oven and bake according to your preferred recipe for Cornish hens. If you’re only cooking two hens, place the remaining stuffing in an ovenproof dish and bake alongside the hens for about 25 minutes or until heated through.
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Serve: Once the Cornish hens are cooked through and the stuffing is piping hot, remove them from the oven and serve immediately.
๐ฉโ๐ณ Cook’s Tips:
- To make this recipe even more flavorful, consider adding additional herbs and spices such as rosemary, sage, or parsley.
- If you prefer a crunchier texture, you can toast the bread crumbs in a dry skillet before mixing them with the vegetables.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free bread crumbs or substitute with cooked quinoa or rice.
๐ฝ๏ธ Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 140.1
- Fat Content: 6.7g
- Saturated Fat Content: 3.9g
- Cholesterol Content: 15.3mg
- Sodium Content: 486.2mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 17g
- Fiber Content: 3.6g
- Sugar Content: 5g
- Protein Content: 4.1g
This Vegetable Stuffing for Cornish Game Hens is a versatile and delicious dish that’s perfect for any occasion, whether you’re serving it alongside roasted poultry or enjoying it as a standalone side dish. Bursting with flavor and packed with wholesome ingredients, it’s sure to become a favorite at your dinner table!
