Cornish Hens a l'Orange
This simple to
make orange sauce may be used on chicken as well. It is packed with
flavor and works very well while roasting.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes prep plus roasting time
Serving Size: 2
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
- 1 large navel orange: 2 tablespoons orange zest, 1 tablespoon fresh
orange juice
- 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
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- 2 fresh Cornish hens
- Prepared long grain and wild rice mix, optional
- kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper
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To prepare the sauce, melt butter
in a heat proof bowl using the microwave. Stir in 4 tablespoons frozen
orange juice concentrate. Add the zest and marmalade and stir. Stir in the
fresh orange juice. Allow to sit while preparing the rice and hens,
reheating the mixture in the microwave as necessary to keep it liquid.
Heat oven to 350°. Prepare your favorite long grain and wild rice mix using
package directions. As soon as it is done, spread on a baking sheet to allow
it to cool. Rinse the hens and pat dry, inside and
out. Salt and pepper the cavities and then stuff with the cooled rice
mixture. Spoon in a little of the orange sauce intermittently with rice while
stuffing. Use butcher's twine or skewers to bind the legs closed. Salt and
pepper the outside of the hens and place on a roasting rack. Use a brush
to spread the orange sauce mixture all over the outside of the hens. Roast
until the rice inside the hens registers 180° and the hens are cooked
through, about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Baste the hens with the orange sauce every
15 minutes or so while roasting. Allow to rest for 15 minutes before
serving. Remove twine or skewers and serve on individual plates. Remove some
of the rice from the cavities and spread on the plate for serving. |
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