Cornish game hen is one of my Husband’s favorite dishes and they are fantastic for a crowd. A cornish game hen is a British breed that is smaller and younger than a chicken. The meat is is tender and flavorful. They cook quickly and plate beautifully. You can bake them as you would any chicken. Here is one of my favorite recipes. Let me know what you think!

Ingredients

• 4 Cornish game hens, livers and gizzards removed, rinsed
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2  shallot, peeled and quartered
• 1 1/2 tablespoons coarse-grain mustard
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup of finely chopped herbs (anything green basil, oregano, parsley, sage)
• 1/4 cup of white wine
• 1/4 cup of chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Kosher salt
• Sage Sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Place Cornish hens in a large ovenproof baking dish. Place 1 clove garlic, several pieces of shallots, and 1 sage sprig into the cavity of each hen.
2. Rub 1/2 teaspoon salt into the cavity of each hen.
3. Truss legs and garnish the breast with loose herbs
4. In a small bowl, combine mustards, fresh herbs, salt and pepper. Whisk thoroughly and use to coat hens.
5. Pour the wine and stock in the bottom of your baking dish.
6. Place hens in oven and roast for 45 minutes. Check temperature at thickest part of thigh, away from bone, and make sure it’s at least 165 F. Raise temperature for 450 F to brown the breast.
7. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve halved or whole.

Note: you may use the pan dripping to create a delicious sauce.