Roasted Cornish Hen

Recipe creating can be intimidating. Especially if you have never had this particular food. That’s how I felt making roasted cornish hens. I have never had a cornish hen so my frame of reference for spices was nil. However, I must say, this recipe for roasted cornish hens was phenomenal! It will be a great addition to your Thanksgiving menu. Especially for you postop people whose portion is smaller— a cornish hen is much smaller than a turkey with the same kind of flair.

WeightWise Recipe

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Roasted Cornish Hens

Cook Time

1.3 hours

Servings

Ingredients

• 4 Cornish game hens Giblets removed
• 9 green onions Chopped
• 2 Whole Lemons Sliced
• 16 Sage leaves 4 Per Bird
• 6 garlic cloves Minced (half for on top of birds)
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoons butter Melted
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 Tablespoons dried basil

Cook Time 1.3 hours Servings Ingredients 4 Cornish game hens Giblets removed 9 green onions Chopped 2 Whole Lemons Sliced 16 Sage leaves 4 Per Bird 6 garlic cloves Minced (half for on top of birds) 2 Tablespoons lemon juice 2 Tablespoons butter Melted 2 Tablespoons olive oil 1 Tablespoons dried basil

Instructions

1. Gather your fresh veggies. You will need green onions, lemon, fresh sage leaves, and garlic. I'm not sure why I have a an onion in this pic....I blame it on the lack of sleep and allergy med brain.

   
2. Chop the green onions, slice the lemon into wedges, and minced the garlic.

   
3. Unwrap each cornish hen, then rinse in water and pat dry. Leave the skin on the hen.

   
4. Stuff each hen with a few green onions, garlic, and lemon wedge.

   
5. Gently place sage leaves under the skin on the breast and thighs of the hen. You will use about 4 sage leaves per bird.

   
6. Truss each hen with kitchen twine. I had never done this before, but after a few experimental ties I found a "figure 8" was easier and kept the legs closest to the bird. The goal of trussing is to keep the legs close to the body of the bird and essentially closing off the opening of the cavity. By doing this the meat retains more moisture and juiciness. *If you have a better way of trussing, please leave suggestions in the comments!*

   
7. Place each cornish hen on a roasting pan. I had to get fairly inventive with my "roasting pan". It seems that mine was accidentally put in the give away box when we moved. A new roasting pan is now on my Christmas list.

   
8. Melt butter and add minced garlic, lemon juice, oil, and dried basil. Spoon about half of this butter mixture over the cornish hens. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper as desired. Place in a hot oven, at 375 degrees F, breast side down and cook for 35 minutes. After initial cooking time, remove from the oven and turn breast side up. Spoon the remaining butter mixture over the hens. Return to the oven for 45 minutes or until internal temp reads 165 degrees.

   
9. Enjoy this twist on a traditional turkey for your Thanksgiving this year. Roasted cornish hens pair well with roasted beets and pumpkin and bacon goat cheese stuffed apples.