Time to woo the one you love!
It is that time of year when chocolates and hearts can be found everywhere. When you are kid you get really excited about going to school and swapping your valentine cards. I can distinctly remember my 4th grade self getting all worked up over the cards and the words on them. I mean, if I got a card that said “You Rock” that mean’t you were just a friend but if you got a card that said “You’re the 1 I Want” then you are clearly the object of that persons affection…this is how everyone felt right?
Now that I am married I feel less inclined to give ambiguous notes to my love, usually I give him a card that conveys my love with words I would use on a regular basis. Some examples might be “I love you even if you leave the toilet seat up” or “I am glad we have each other because I need someone to take care of me when I get older”. Ok, these are not exactly true. The hubby knows how much he’s loved, don’t worry!
As an adult I quickly learned that cooking a special meal could be as good or better than any cheesy heart shaped thing I could purchase as a gift. I do my best to cook something that is over the top or special enough that we would not have it frequently. If you feel the same way then I suggest you make these Cornish Hens.
Can we talk about a dish that makes it acceptable to eat an entire “chicken”? I know there are some people out there who do not share the excitement and to those people I apologize. I think any man (a meat loving man) would be excited to get a plate with his very own small “chicken” on it. I think it’s the same feeling when you present someone with an entire lobster or whole fish. You see a challenge set before you and you cannot wait to accept. These hens are delicious and a great centerpiece for your Valentine’s dinner with the one you love. For that extra special effect feel free to top the feet with those white caps they put on roasts, that way you are presenting fancy hens to the one you love!
Notes
Adapted from Sunset Cooking For Two (1982)
Ingredients
- 2 Cornish Hens
- 1 Apple Diced
- 1/2 Onion Diced
- 2 Celery Stalks Diced
- 1 1/2 Tsp. Poultry Seasoning Divided
- Salt + Pepper
- 2 Tbsp. Butter
- 1/2 Tsp. Paprika
- 1/2 Tsp. Ginger Powder
- Dark Cherry Sauce
For Dark Cherry Sauce
- 1 Can (8oz) Pitted Dark Cherries
- 2/3 + 1 Tbsp. Cup Water
- 1 Small Onion Sliced
- 10 Cloves
- 1/4 Tsp. Cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp. Cornstarch
- 1/4 Tsp. Grated Lemon Peel
- 1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
- 1/4 Cup Port or Brandy
Instructions
- To prep Cornish Hens make sure to remove any giblets and pat the hens dry. Preheat oven to 425. Combine apples, onion, celery and 1 Tsp. Poultry Seasoning in a bowl. Season stuffing with salt and pepper and combine. Place a handful of stuffing in the cavity of each Cornish Hen. In a small bowl melt the butter, combine the paprika, ginger and remaining poultry seasoning with the butter. Brush the butter on each hen, covering the entire hen.
- Place the hens in a roasting pan and cook for an hour, basting occasionally with the drippings in the pan. Hens are done when golden or juices run clear. Allow the hens to rest before serving. Top with cherry sauce and enjoy.
Instructions for Cherry Sauce:
- Drain the cherries reserving 1/3 cup of the juice. In a sauce pan over medium heat add the cherry juice along with 2/3 cups of water, onion, cloves and cinnamon. Bring mixture to a boil and drop temperature to a simmer, continue cooking for 10-15 minutes until the sauce becomes fragrant. Strain the sauce reserving the liquid and discarding the solids.
- Return the sauce to the pan and continue heating over medium heat. In a small bowl combine 1 Tbsp. water with the cornstarch. Pour the cornstarch and water mixture in to the sauce and stir until combined and no lumps remain. Allow the sauce to boil and thicken. Stir in the cherries, grated lemon peel and lemon juice. Gently stir sauce careful not to smash cherries. Add port and brandy and continue to cook for 5 minutes or until the liquor has burned off. Serve by pouring over hens or on the side.
Looks divine! Great photos, too.
Thanks, it is really one of my favorite dishes and something that we usually ate for special occasions.
Can’t say that I’ve cooked a cornish hen before. Thanks for the inspiration and delicious recipe – I must make this!
this looks amazing! I have been meaning to try Cornish hen, this just inspired me to do it!
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