Rock Cornish Hens for Christmas?

[kc_risenphoenix]

I am having my daughter and her new boyfriend over for Christmas dinner. I think this guy might be a keeper (for once) and I would like to make something nice. So last night my spouse and I bought four rock cornish hens and we thought we'd make that the "center piece" for the meal

Comments

[tatkreiswok]

One of the nicest, and simplest, ways of handling game hens is to remove any innards, pat them dry with a paper towel, and sprinkle them with fresh pepper and kosher salt, and roast at 350 degrees till they reach an internal temp (taken behind the thigh) of 165 degrees.

Another nice way to prepare them is the above-mentioned method, but stuff half (or a quarter, depending on the size of the bird) of a fresh lemon in the cavity with a fresh bay leaf. The bay leaf, can be optional, but the lemon's really nice.

Another thing I've done to gussie them up a bit is to make a stuffing of bulgar and currents, using fresh thyme, and when the birds are 80% done, to stuff them with the cooked bulgar mixture, and then wrap the birds around with bacon, and let them finish cooking. Dried appricots, or dried cranberries also work well, if currents aren't your thing.

Speaking of dried apricots, doing a Moroccan preparation for the hens, like a tagine, can be festive and tasty. I've liked and used this recipe, but left out the caraway and turnips

[kc_risenphoenix]

Thank you thank you! You are so sweet! Can't wait to try...

Embarrassing comment. Just WHAT are currents? I look at the grocery store and never see them...

I am truly not sure just what they are...

**blushes furiously**

[tatkreiswok]

Glad to be of help! *beams*

Currents are like tiny rasins, but a little more tart. I find them at Mediterranean food stores, but places like Whole Foods also carry them.

Have fun making the hens!