Stuffed Cornish Game Hens

Cornish Game Hen Recipe with Savory Stuffing

Region / culture: Cornwall, USA | Servings: 6

Introduction

Stuffed Cornish Game Hens are a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for a special occasion or holiday meal. These small hens are stuffed with a flavorful rice mixture and roasted to perfection. The result is a tender and juicy bird with a deliciously crispy skin.

History

Cornish Game Hens are a cross between a Cornish chicken and a White Plymouth Rock chicken. They were originally bred in the 1950s in Connecticut and quickly became popular for their small size and tender meat. Stuffed Cornish Game Hens have been a favorite dish for special occasions and holiday meals for many years.

Ingredients

6 rock cornish hens (16 to 18 oz (510 g) each)
0.25 cup butter or margarine, divided
salt
ground black pepper
3 cup water
0.5 cup chopped celery with leaves
1 onion, quartered
1 bay leaf
dash sage
dash rosemary
dash marjoram

Stuffing

0.5 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup uncooked rice

How to prepare

Remove giblets and necks from hens. Rinse hens in cold running water and pat them dry.
Rub the outside of the hens with 2 tbsp of melted butter.
Sprinkle salt and pepper lightly inside and outside of the hens. Cover them loosely and refrigerate.
In a saucepan, combine giblets, necks, celery, onion quarters, bay leaf, sage, rosemary, marjoram, salt, and pepper. Cook until tender, approximately 1 hour.
Strain the broth and chop the giblets and necks (remove the skin). Set them aside.

Stuffing

In a 2- to 3 qt (2.84 liter) saucepan, cook the onion and mushrooms in the remaining 2 tbsp of butter until the onion is soft but not brown.
Add rice, reserved giblets, and 2 cups of broth. Bring to a boil and stir once or twice.
Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Lightly stuff the hens with the rice mixture.
Pull the neck skin to the back of each hen. Twist the wing tips under the back, holding the skin in place. Tie the legs to the tail.
Place the hens, breast side up, on a rack in a shallow baking pan. Cover them loosely with foil and roast at 375°F (191°C).

Variations

You can add dried fruits, nuts, or herbs to the stuffing mixture for extra flavor.
Instead of rice, you can use quinoa or couscous for the stuffing.
You can also season the hens with different herbs and spices, such as thyme, garlic, or paprika.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to rinse the hens thoroughly before patting them dry to remove any excess moisture.

- Rubbing the hens with melted butter before seasoning them helps to create a crispy and flavorful skin.

- Cooking the giblets and necks in the broth adds extra flavor to the stuffing mixture.

- Tying the legs to the tail helps the hens cook evenly and keeps the stuffing in place.

- Roasting the hens covered with foil helps to keep them moist while cooking.

Serving Suggestions

Stuffed Cornish Game Hens can be served with a side of roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.

Cooking Techniques

Roasting the hens in the oven at a high temperature ensures that they cook evenly and develop a crispy skin.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use chicken broth instead of water for added flavor.

- Olive oil can be used instead of margarine.

- Any type of mushrooms can be used in the stuffing mixture.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the hens and stuffing mixture ahead of time and refrigerate them until ready to roast.

Presentation Ideas

Serve the Stuffed Cornish Game Hens on a platter garnished with fresh herbs and lemon wedges for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Stuffed Cornish Game Hens pair well with a light red wine, such as Pinot Noir, or a crisp white wine, such as Chardonnay.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftover Stuffed Cornish Game Hens can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Stuffed Cornish Game Hens contains approximately 350 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Stuffed Cornish Game Hens contains approximately 25 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Stuffed Cornish Game Hens contains approximately 15 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of Stuffed Cornish Game Hens contains approximately 30 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Stuffed Cornish Game Hens are a good source of iron, vitamin B6, and niacin.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (butter) and gluten (rice). It may also contain traces of soy if margarine is used.

Summary

Stuffed Cornish Game Hens are a balanced meal with a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. They are also a good source of vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Stuffed Cornish Game Hens are a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for a special occasion or holiday meal. With a flavorful rice stuffing and crispy skin, these hens are sure to impress your guests.

How did I get this recipe?

The memory of finding this recipe for the first time brings a smile to my face. It was many years ago when I was just a young girl, eager to learn the art of cooking from my own beloved grandmother. She was a master in the kitchen, creating dishes that were not only delicious but also filled with love and tradition.

One day, as I was helping my grandmother prepare dinner, she pulled out a worn and tattered recipe card from her collection. It was for Stuffed Cornish Game Hens, a dish that she said had been passed down through generations in our family. As she read through the ingredients and instructions, I could see the twinkle in her eyes and hear the pride in her voice.

She explained to me how she had learned the recipe from her own mother, who had learned it from her mother before her. It was a dish that had been a staple at family gatherings and special occasions for as long as anyone could remember. And now, it was my turn to learn the secrets of this delicious and comforting dish.

As I watched my grandmother work her magic in the kitchen, I soaked up every detail and listened intently to her tips and tricks. She showed me how to properly season and stuff the hens, how to carefully tie them up with kitchen twine, and how to roast them to perfection in the oven.

The aroma that filled the kitchen as the hens cooked was intoxicating, and I couldn't wait to taste the final result. When they were finally done and we sat down to eat, I was blown away by the flavors and textures of the dish. The tender meat, the savory stuffing, the crispy skin – it was a symphony of deliciousness that I had never experienced before.

From that moment on, Stuffed Cornish Game Hens became a regular feature on our family's dinner table. I would often request it for my birthday or other special occasions, and my grandmother would always oblige with a smile. It became a dish that I associated with comfort, love, and tradition – a dish that brought our family together in a way that no other could.

Over the years, I have made this recipe countless times, each time thinking back to that day in my grandmother's kitchen when I first learned how to make it. I have tweaked and adjusted it to suit my own tastes and preferences, but the basic recipe remains the same – a testament to the enduring power of tradition and family.

As I pass this recipe down to my own children and grandchildren, I know that it will continue to bring joy and comfort to our family for generations to come. And every time I make it, I will think of my grandmother and the love and tradition that she instilled in me through the simple act of cooking together. The memory of finding this recipe for the first time will always bring a smile to my face.