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These fancy Cornish hens are the perfect holiday meal for empty nesters.
Great For Empty Nesters
If it’s just going to be the two of you at the holidays, a big spread is just not practical.
These festive Cornish hens just might be the solution. Even if you’re alone for the holidays, maybe you don’t want it to be just a “regular meal” day and want to do something a little special. That was the case with my husband and me, especially after he got sick. Since this is on a small scale, there’s no waste and not endless nights of leftovers.
This is also a good recipe to tuck away to save for small gatherings and dinner parties. It’s really fancy and makes a nice presentation while at the same time it’s quick cooking and very easy.
Versatile Stuffing
This is the perfect stuffing for these Cornish game hens. The bright notes of ginger and orange–not to mention the dried apricots–go so well with poultry. Any poultry that is. But that’s not where this ends.
The stuffing is also a great side dish. So why not class up an ordinary weekday meal of inexpensive chicken parts by serving this on the side? There’s nothing complicated about the preparation nor the cooking. It’s really very easy.
The ultimate is, this is also a good choice for going meatless. The pine nuts provide protein so it’s pretty complete. To make it vegan, just use vegan butter or even coconut oil (the unrefined kind that has a hint of coconut flavor).
A Little Addition
If you have any unsweetened shredded coconut, that is lovely included in the stuffing. Maybe about 2-3 tablespoons mixed in is a good amount.
The coconut gives this a more exotic and tropical flair. It’s not necessary and I do understand that coconut is not everyone’s fave (even though it is mine).
The Recipe
Fruited Rice Stuffed Cornish Hens
Ingredients
- 2 Cornish game hens
- 2 tbs butter melted, for basting
Stuffing
- 1 cup cooked white rice jasmine or basmatti is a good choice
- 2 tbs diced dried apricots
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts sliced toasted almonds may be substituted
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tbs orange zest
- 3 tbs butter melted
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix all the stuffing ingredients together in a bowl.
- Clean and dry the game hens. Stuff hens with the rice stuffing then baste the hens with half of the melted butter.
- Roast for 30 minutes, then baste with the remaining melted butter. Roast an additional 15-20 minutes or until juices run clear.
- Remove from oven and tent with foil. Let the hens rest 10 minutes.
Marie Goodson says
This looks amazing and the flavors must be awesome!!! Marie Goodson
Judith Hanneman says
The stuffing is amazing! Try it just as a side dish!
Laura says
How big are the Cornish Game hens supposed to be? This looks really good and I could use a chicken if hens are too much too.
Judith Hanneman says
I would say each hen is about 8-12 ounces. You can definitely do it with chicken–and it’d be way cheaper too. I’d double or triple the rice stuffing and any that’s left over can be used as a side dish with another meal.