Ready to impress at your next dinner gathering? Look no further than this delicious recipe for Stuffed Cornish Hens. These elegant and flavorful hens are sure to be a showstopper on your table. The succulent meat, combined with a savory stuffing, will have your guests asking for seconds. Let’s get cooking!
**Ingredients:**
– 2 Cornish hens
– 1 cup of breadcrumbs
– 1/2 cup of chopped celery
– 1/2 cup of chopped onion
– 1/4 cup of chopped mushrooms
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts
– 1/4 cup of dried cranberries
– 1/4 cup of chicken broth
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil
– 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
– Salt and pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the celery, onion, mushrooms, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the breadcrumbs, walnuts, cranberries, thyme, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine.
4. Slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring continuously until the mixture is moist but not soggy. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. Rinse the Cornish hens under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Season the inside and outside of the hens with salt and pepper.
6. Stuff the cavities of the hens with the prepared stuffing mixture. Be generous but make sure not to overstuff.
7. Secure the openings with kitchen twine or skewers to keep the stuffing inside.
8. Place the hens in a roasting pan, breast side up. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season with additional salt and pepper.
9. Roast in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until the hens are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
10. Halfway through the cooking time, baste the hens with the pan juices to keep them moist.
11. Once cooked, remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving.
12. To serve, carefully remove the kitchen twine or skewers from the hens and transfer them to a serving platter. Slice and enjoy the delicious flavors of your stuffed Cornish hens.
These Stuffed Cornish Hens are a perfect dish for a special occasion or a cozy dinner at home. The combination of tender meat and savory stuffing will have everyone at the table asking for more. Enjoy the process of preparing this elegant meal and relish the smiles and compliments it will bring to your table.
