Cornish Game Hens With Grapes in Vermouth
"From the *Best Ever Chicken* cookbook edited by Linda Fraser -- Per the intro, "This is a rather special dish that is ideal to serve when entertaining." Boy, do I ever agree w/that & this is such an easy fix too! *Enjoy* !"
photo by BarbryT
- Ready In:
- 55mins
- Ingredients:
- 11
- Serves:
-
4
ingredients
- 4 Cornish hens (about 1 lb ea, washed & patted dry)
- 4 tablespoons butter (softened)
- 2 shallots (chopped)
- 4 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
- 8 ounces grapes (seedless & halved, light green or a light color mix preferred)
- 2⁄3 cup vermouth (white)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons double cream (heavy cream)
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts (toasted)
- salt and black pepper (to taste pref)
- watercress leaf (optional garnish) (optional)
directions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Using a soft pastry brush, spread the soft butter all over the outside surface of hens & then put a hazelnut size piece in the cavity of ea hen. Mix shallots & parsley together & place 1/4 of the mixture in the cavity of ea hen.
- Put the hens side-by-side in a roasting pan & roast for 40-50 min or till the juices run clear when the thickest part of the flesh is pierced w/a skewer. When cooked, transfer the hens to a warmed serving platter, cover & keep warm.
- Skim most of the fat from the roasting pan, then add the grapes & vermouth. Place the pan directly over a low-heat for a few min to warm & slightly soften the grapes.
- Using a slotted spoon, lift the grapes out of the roasting pan, scatter them around the hens on the platter & cover again.
- Stir cornstarch into the cream & add to the pan juices. Cook gently (stirring) for a few min till the sauce thickens. Season w/salt & pepper to taste pref.
- Pour sauce around hens, sprinkle w/toasted pine nuts & garnish w/watercress sprigs, if using. Serve immediately.
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Reviews
-
A gorgeous dish and delicious to boot. I made two, just as specified. I didn't particularly want to buy a bunch of (expensive!) watercress for one leaf :-)) so used basil from my garden as garnish. This is the easiest company game hen dish I ever have made! Thanks twissis!
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
twissis
Iceland
I am an American transplanted from Dallas to Iceland by marriage to a native Icelander & I retired to become his "Kitchen Queen". We love to entertain our family & friends, so I have an eclectic collection of recipes. I especially love simple, easy-fix, flexible & make-ahead recipes - BUT also like challenging myself on occasion. I enjoy baking & food photography. I am devoted to the "More is Always Better Principle" & apply it liberally to bacon, butter & garlic. I can have ingredient issues due to availability here in Iceland & my DH is medically diet-restricted from some ingredients as well. Either situation might require me to modify a recipe, but I will do my best to be true to your recipes & fair/honest in my reviews. Mary Pat (aka twissis)
