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Elegant Cornish Hens

Elegant Cornish Hens
This lovely entree not only looks special, it tastes special, too. Your holiday guests are sure to be impressed.
4 ServingsPrep: 25 min. Bake: 40 min.

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each), split lengthwise
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • MUSHROOM SAUCE:
  • 1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, quartered
  • 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper, divided
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon each cornstarch and water
  • 1/4 teaspoon minced fresh tarragon

Directions

  • Rub oil over hens; sprinkle with salt, thyme and pepper. Place skin
  • side up on rack in a shallow roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, at
© Taste of Home 2013

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Elegant Cornish Hens (continued)

Directions (continued)

  • 400° for 35-40 minutes or until thermometer reads 180°.
  • Broil hens for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Meanwhile, toss mushrooms with 2 teaspoons oil, salt and 1/8 teaspoon
  • pepper. Spread in a single layer on a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking
  • pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 25-30 minutes,
  • turning once. Set aside.
  • For sauce, in a saucepan, saute onion and garlic in remaining oil.
  • Add the broth, mustard, vinegar, brown sugar, tomato paste, bay leaf
  • and remaining pepper; bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, over medium
  • heat until mixture is reduced to 1 cup. Combine cornstarch and water
  • until smooth; stir into sauce. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 1-2
  • minutes or until thickened. Stir in tarragon and mushrooms; heat
  • through. Discard bay leaf. Serve sauce over hens. Yield: 4 servings.
Nutrition Facts: One serving (1 hen half without skin and 1/4 cup sauce) equals 328 calories, 13 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 189 mg cholesterol, 873 mg sodium, 7 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 45 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 6 lean meat, 1 vegetable.
Wine: Full-Bodied White Wine: Enjoy this recipe with a full-bodied white wine such as Chardonnay or Viognier.
© Taste of Home 2013