Cranberry-Glazed Stuffed Cornish Game Hens
This delightful dish combines tender, flavorful Cornish game hens with a deliciously sweet and tart cranberry glaze, perfect for holiday gatherings or special occasions. Stuffed with a fragrant mixture of French bread, sautéed vegetables, and fresh herbs, these hens are not only pleasing to the palate but also visually impressive on the table. This recipe was graciously shared by a friend and became an instant favorite at our Christmas Eve dinner, earning rave reviews from all who indulged. Impress your guests with this stunning centerpiece at your next festive meal!
N/A
Servings
325
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cranberries
2 1/4 cups (rinsed and drained)
Dry red wine
3/4 cup
Honey
3 tablespoons
Olive oil
1 tablespoon
Butter
1 tablespoon (melted)
Onion
1/3 cup (minced)
Celery
1/3 cup (minced)
Cranberries
1/3 cup (coarsely chopped)
French bread cubes
2 cups (1/2 inch thick)
Chicken broth
1/4 cup
Parsley
1/4 cup (finely chopped)
Dried sage
1 teaspoon (crushed)
Dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon (crushed)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (divided)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (fresh ground, divided)
Cornish hens
4 (giblets removed, thawed, rinsed and dried)
Kitchen string
as needed
Instructions
1
To prepare the cranberry glaze, combine rinsed cranberries and dry red wine in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes until the cranberries have softened.
2
Stir in honey and continue to simmer for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat and strain the mixture using a fine mesh sieve, discarding the solids. Stir in olive oil and set the glaze aside.
3
Next, prepare the stuffing for the game hens. Melt butter in a separate saucepan over medium heat. Add minced onion, celery, and coarsely chopped cranberries, and sauté for about 3 minutes until the onions become translucent.
4
In a large bowl, combine the sautéed mixture with French bread cubes. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
5
Add chicken broth, chopped parsley, dried sage, dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper to the bowl with the bread mixture. Stir until well combined.
6
Stuff each Cornish hen evenly with the prepared stuffing, ensuring they are packed but not overly tight. Use kitchen string to tie the drumsticks together securely.
7
Place the stuffed game hens in a roasting pan, ensuring they are spaced evenly. Brush the tops with a generous amount of the cranberry glaze, and lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired.
8
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Roast the hens in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to achieve a beautiful golden-brown color.
9
After 20 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue roasting for an additional 45 minutes, basting the hens with the glaze and sprinkling with salt and pepper twice during cooking.
10
Once cooked through, remove the hens from the oven and allow them to rest for 5 minutes before cutting the strings and serving.
Nutrition Information
17.5
Fat
25
Carbs
20
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cranberry-Glazed Stuffed Cornish Game Hens?
It is a gourmet entree featuring tender Cornish game hens stuffed with a French bread and herb mixture, finished with a sweet and tart cranberry-red wine glaze.
How many Cornish hens does this recipe require?
The recipe calls for 4 Cornish game hens with giblets removed, thawed, rinsed, and dried.
What ingredients are used in the cranberry glaze?
The glaze is made from 2 1/4 cups of rinsed cranberries, 3/4 cup dry red wine, 3 tablespoons of honey, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
How do I prepare the glaze base?
Combine cranberries and red wine in a saucepan, bring to a boil, and simmer for 5 minutes until the cranberries soften.
Do I keep the solids in the cranberry glaze?
No, you should strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve and discard the solids before stirring in the olive oil.
What type of bread is recommended for the stuffing?
The recipe suggests using 2 cups of French bread cubes, cut into 1/2-inch thick pieces.
What vegetables are included in the stuffing?
The stuffing includes 1/3 cup minced onion and 1/3 cup minced celery.
Are there cranberries inside the stuffing as well?
Yes, 1/3 cup of coarsely chopped cranberries is sautéed with the onions and celery for the stuffing.
How do I sauté the vegetables for the stuffing?
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a saucepan over medium heat and sauté the onion, celery, and chopped cranberries for about 3 minutes.
What liquid is used to moisten the bread stuffing?
1/4 cup of chicken broth is used to moisten the mixture.
What herbs and spices season the stuffing?
The stuffing is seasoned with finely chopped parsley, crushed dried sage, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
How should I pack the stuffing into the hens?
Stuff each hen evenly, ensuring they are packed but not overly tight.
How do I secure the hens before roasting?
Use kitchen string to tie the drumsticks together securely.
What is the initial roasting temperature?
Preheat your oven and roast the hens initially at 450°F (232°C).
How long do the hens roast at high heat?
They roast at 450°F for 20 minutes to achieve a golden-brown color.
What is the second roasting temperature?
After the initial 20 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
How long is the final roasting period?
Continue roasting at the lower temperature for an additional 45 minutes.
How often should I baste the hens with glaze?
Baste the hens twice during the final 45 minutes of cooking.
Should the hens rest after coming out of the oven?
Yes, allow the hens to rest for 5 minutes before cutting the strings and serving.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 325 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are approximately 17.5 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
The dish contains 25 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content of the hens?
This recipe provides 20 grams of protein per serving.
Is this recipe suitable for Christmas dinner?
Yes, it is specifically noted as a favorite for Christmas Eve dinner and festive holiday gatherings.
Can I use fresh herbs in the stuffing?
The recipe calls for fresh parsley, while the sage and thyme are specified as dried and crushed.
Do I need to peel the cranberries?
No, just ensure they are rinsed and drained, and for the stuffing portion, coarsely chopped.
What kind of wine should I use for the glaze?
The recipe recommends a dry red wine.
How much honey is added to the glaze?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of honey.
What should I do with the giblets?
The giblets should be removed from the Cornish hens before you begin preparation.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 17 ingredients used to prepare the glaze, stuffing, and hens.