Jalapeno Stuffed Game Hens Recipes

GAME HENS SOUTHWESTERN-STYLE

Steps:

• TO PREPARE GAME HENS: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Sprinkle lime juice on hens, then sprinkle on the chili powder, cumin, salt and ground black pepper. Splash olive oil over hens. Place in a 9x13 inch baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes; then reduce oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake until done and juices run clear, about 45 minutes more.
• TO MAKE SALSA: Combine the corn, red onion, garlic, red bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, lime juice, lemon juice, cilantro, cumin, salt, ground black pepper and olive oil. Mix well and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Put on a platter and top with the cooked hens. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve.

STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• In a large skillet or saucepan, saute celery and onion in 2 tablespoons butter until tender. Remove from the heat. Stir in cornbread, bread crumbs, pimientos, broth, egg, poultry seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; mix well. , Stuff each hen with 3/4 cup stuffing. Place extra stuffing in a greased 1-qt. baking dish; refrigerate. Place hens breast side up on a rack in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Cover loosely with foil; bake at 375° for 45 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt the remaining butter; add garlic, lemon zest, mint and remaining salt and pepper. Brush over hens. Bake 15-30 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 180° for hens and 165° for stuffing. Bake the extra stuffing, covered, for 30 minutes.

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH RICE STUFFING

Steps:

• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the almonds, onion, and uncooked wild rice. Saute 5 to 10 minutes. Mix in the water, chicken bouillon cube, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook 45 minutes until rice is tender and easily fluffed with a fork.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Season the Cornish game hens inside and out with salt, and stuff with the rice mixture. Place the hens breast side up on a rack in a baking pan. Brush with 1/4 cup melted butter.
• Cover the baking pan, and cook the hens 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Uncover, and continue cooking 1 hour, or until the hens are no longer pink and the juices run clear.

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH CORNBREAD STUFFING

Steps:

• In a medium skillet, heat the 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-low heat. Saute the leeks for 8 to 10 minutes, until softened. Add the apples and cook for 3 minutes more. In a medium bowl combine the leek mixture with the sage, parsley, cornbread and enough broth to moisten. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Stuff the birds with the cornbread mixture and tie the legs of each hen together with kitchen twine. Melt the remaining butter. Brush the birds all over with butter and season with salt and pepper. Put the hens on a rack in a large roasting pan, breast-side up. Roast until an instant read thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 170 degrees F., about 80 minutes. Set the birds aside at room temperature, loosely covered with foil, for 10 minutes before carving. Split the hens in half through the breast with a sharp knife or poultry shears, and keep the stuffing intact. Arrange birds skin-side up, on a platter, garnish with sprigs of herbs and serve.

CHILI-ROASTED GAME HENS WITH JALAPEñO-ORANGE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F. Slide fingertips under game hen skin to loosen from meat. Insert cilantro sprigs under skin. Sprinkle hens with chipotle chili powder; season with salt. Place hens, skin side up, on rimmed baking sheet. Roast 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir jelly, orange juice, and orange peel in small saucepan over medium heat until jelly melts, about 2 minutes. Brush hens with some jelly mixture; continue to roast until cooked through and brown, brushing once more with mixture, about 15 minutes longer.
• Bring remaining jelly mixture to simmer. Stir in chopped cilantro and salsa. Spoon sauce over hens and serve.

JALAPENO-STUFFED GAME HENS

Steps:

• Heat a grill until hot. Season the hens with salt and pepper. Place 4 jalapeno halves in the cavity of each hen. Wrap 3 slices of bacon over the breast on each hen, securing the bacon with toothpicks that have been soaked in water. Place the hens on the grill and cook until well browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Cover the grill and cook until hens are cooked through, about 40 minutes, turning once. Remove the toothpicks, split the hens in half lengthwise, divide among 4 plates and serve immediately.

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH CRAB APPLE-SAGE GLAZE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F. Starting at neck end of hens, slide fingers between skin and breasts to loosen skin. Place 2 sage leaves under skin of each breast half. Sprinkle hens with salt and pepper. Transfer hens, skin side up, to medium roasting pan. Roast hens 15 minutes. Meanwhile, simmer 1/3 cup wine, jelly, and shallots in heavy small saucepan until glaze is slightly thickened, about 6 minutes. Stir in chopped sage.
• Brush half of glaze on roasted hens. Roast hens 5 minutes more. Brush with remaining glaze. Roast until hens are cooked through and glaze is bubbling, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer to platter.
• Spoon off fat from juices in pan. Place roasting pan directly atop 2 burners over medium heat. Add remaining 1/3 cup wine and boil until liquid is reduced by 1/3, about 5 minutes. Season sauce with salt and pepper. Spoon over hens.