Glazed Cornish Game Hens With Apricot Pistachio Dressing
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Recipe Summary Glazed Cornish Game Hens With Apricot Pistachio Dressing
Cornish game hens are festive and readily available. I've even made them the centerpiece of a holiday meal. These little birds cook much more quickly than other holiday roasts, such as lamb or ham. I normally figure on one hen (in the 1 1/2- to 2-pound range) to serve every two guests - especially if you also plan to have a first course and a dessert.Ingredients | Virtual Hen Do Games Ideas4 Cornish game hens (about 1 1/2 pounds each), cut down the backbone with heavy-duty scissors and spread open2 cups kosher salt3 tablespoons olive oil2 medium-large onion, cut into medium dice1 cup dried apricots, cut into medium dice½ cup apricot jam¼ cup balsamic vinegar½ cup pistachio nuts, coarsely chopped½ cup chopped fresh parsleyDirectionsBrining the hens before roasting improves their flavor: Dissolve 2 cups of kosher salt in a clean bucket filled with 5 quarts of water. Add prepared hens and soak for 2 hours. Rinse thoroughly; pat dry.Adjust oven rack to upper middle position, and heat oven to 450 degrees.Heat oil in a large skillet. Saute onions until softened, about 7 minutes. Stir in apricots, then spread mixture onto a large (about 18-by-12-inch) lipped cookie sheet. Lay hens over the mixture. Mix jam and vinegar, and brush all but a few tablespoons over hens.Bake hens, brushing 2 or 3 times with remaining jam mixture and accumulated pan juices, until hens are golden brown and juices run clear, about 45 minutes. Turn heat from bake to broil, then cook until hens are spotty brown, watching carefully so they don't burn, 4 to 5 minutes.Transfer hens to a large platter with tongs, then cut in half at the breastbone to create individual servings.Return apricot dressing to the oven and broil to evaporate some of the excess liquid, about 5 minutes longer. Stir in pistachios and parsley. Spoon in a mound next to hens.Copyright 2004 USA WEEKEND and columnist Pam Anderson. All rights reserved.Info | Virtual Hen Do Games IdeasServings:
8
Yield:
8 servings
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