Joyce Goldsteins Cornish Hens With Apricots Tomatoes And Spice Recipes

APRICOT-GLAZED CORNISH HENS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute celery and onion in butter until tender; remove from heat. Add the bread, mushrooms and seasonings. Toss with enough chicken broth just to moisten. , Stuff hens. Tie drumsticks together. Place on a rack in a large shallow baking pan. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour. , Brush with preserves. Bake, uncovered, 30-45 minutes longer or until meat juices run clear, basting every 10-15 minutes. , If using green onions, first soften them in boiling water or the microwave for a few seconds, then tie over the string used to tie the drumsticks together. Garnish platter with rosemary if desired.

CORNISH HENS WITH APRICOTS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Melt six tablespoons of chicken fat or oil in a large pan or skillet. Sprinkle the hens with salt, pepper and one teaspoon of the cinnamon.
• In another large pan, add the remaining chicken fat or oil and the onions, and cook over low heat for five minutes or until the onions are transparent. Add the remaining three teaspoons of cinnamon and the cloves and cook for about three more minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Coarsely chop half of the soaked apricots and set aside. Add about one-half cup of reserved tomato liquid to the remaining half of the soaked apricots and puree in a processor or blender. Take the pureed apricots, the chopped tomatoes, one cup of the chicken stock and add them to the onion mixture. Simmer, uncovered, for five minutes.
• Puree two cups of the onion mixture. Return to pan, add the chopped apricots, brown sugar and chicken stock and enough liquid to make a medium-thick sauce.
• In a casserole large enough to hold the meat in one layer, place half the sauce. Add the hens and cover with the remaining sauce. Bake, covered, in a 350-degree oven for 30 minutes, or until done .

APRICOT-GLAZED CORNISH HENS FOR TWO

Steps:

• Combine the salt and cayenne. Rub a third of the mixture inside hens. Brush 1 tablespoon butter over hens; sprinkle with remaining seasoning mixture. Place on a rack in a shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes., Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine the preserves, honey, onion, nutmeg and remaining butter. Cook and stir until preserves are melted. Brush over hens. Bake 35-40 minutes longer or until golden brown and a thermometer reads 180°. Cover and let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.