Cornish Hens with Ham and Wild Rice Stuffing

Cornish hens are a great alternative to a full chicken. Serve half of a hen to each diner for a stunning plate.

Rock Cornish hens were developed in the 1950’s when American breeders crossed the Cornish hen from England with the American Plymouth rock hen.

You will need
3⁄4 cup uncooked wild rice
11⁄2 cups lower-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped
1⁄4 cup diced cooked lower-sodium ham
1⁄4 cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional)
1 teaspoon each dried thyme leaves and marjoram leaves
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and black pepper
2 Cornish game hens (1 pound each)

What to do
1. Place wild rice in a wire strainer. Run cold water through the rice, lifting rice with fingers to clean thoroughly. In a small saucepan, bring broth to a boil over high heat. Stir in wild rice. Return to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 40 minutes or until most of the broth is absorbed. Drain off liquid. Meanwhile, in a medium-size saucepan, melt butter over moderate heat. Add the mushrooms and onion and cook for 5 minutes or until tender. In a large bowl, combine wild rice, mushroom mixture, ham, pecans (if using), thyme, marjoram, orange rind, salt, and pepper.

2. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Rinse hens; drain and pat dry. Remove and discard giblets and neck if present. Stuff and truss hens (page 185). Place hens, breast side up, on a rack in a roasting pan. Cover hens loosely with foil. Spoon remaining stuffing into a lightly greased 11⁄2-quart casserole; cover and refrigerate.

3. Roast hens for 30 minutes. Uncover hens. Roast for 30 to 45 minutes more or until hens are cooked through, basting occasionally with pan drippings. Bake the covered casserole of stuffing alongside the hens during the last 20 minutes of roasting. To serve, halve hens lengthwise, discarding skin.

Makes 4 servings.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Roasting Time: 1 hour

Nutrition Information
1 Serving: Calories 421.
Total Fat 14 g.
Saturated Fat 5 g.
Protein 45 g.
Carbohydrate 29 g.
Fiber 2 g.
Sodium 662 mg.
Cholesterol 127 mg.

From Like Grandma Used to Make

 

• Family Dinner
• • Christmas Entrees
• Christmas

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• Try this hearty soup as a warming appetizer.
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• Hot Tamale Pie
• Try this easier take on the traditional corn-husk wrapped tamale.
•