Sweet & Spicy Cornish Hens recipe
This is a special dish with a gourmet taste and a long preparation and cook time.
It requires a small effort but the wonderful flavor you get from this recipe is well worth it. It is perfect for a romantic dinner for two. Or, double the recipe and increase the guest list.
Serves 2
Ingredients:
- 2 whole Cornish hens
- 1 cup of olive oil
- 1 cup of white wine (Chardonnay recommended)
- 1 cup grainy or Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic
- Spices - rosemary, dill, sweet paprika
Directions:
1. Defrost Cornish hens in the refrigerator for a day or keep under cold water for 2-3 hours. Remove anything placed in cavities. Rinse Cornish hens, pat dry with a paper towel and place on the roasting pan adding a little water on the bottom below the rack.
2. Pour half a cup of olive oil over both birds; generously sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Mix the glaze: 1 cup of mustard, 2 tbsp of honey, 2 cloves of garlic chopped or pressed, a half cup of white wine, 1 tsp each of rosemary and dill.
4. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
5. Generously brush the glaze over each bird, applying it on all sides.
6. Place the hens in the oven, breast side up. Set the timer for 1 hour 20 minutes. The bird should be in the oven untouched for the first 50 minutes until the next step.
7. Mix the remaining half cup of white wine with a half cup of olive oil and 1 tsp of paprika.
8. Once your Cornish hens have been in the oven for 50 minutes, turn them over on the other side and brush with the wine/oil/paprika mixture. Place the birds back in the oven for the remaining 25-30 minutes.
9. Let the hens stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with peas or roasted veggies.
This is a sizable feast, so you are not going to need more than a few veggies on the side. Enjoy!
