Cornish Game Hens with Pink Peppercorns
Heres delicious and easy way to make Cornish Game Hens in the oven. I like pink peppercorns a lot as they add a nice fragrant almost floral flavor. Lightly stuffing the hens keep them nice and moist in the oven.
Ingredients:
- 2 cornish game hens
- 1 clove sliced fresh garlic
- 2 cloves chopped garlic
- 1 sliced shallot
- 1 lemon
- 4 tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
- 1 tbsp lemon thyme
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp pink peppercorns
- Salt
- Black pepper
For the glaze:
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp pink peppercorns
- 1 tbsp rosemary
- 1 tbsp lemon thyme
Begin by washing your hens inside and out. Generously season the inside of the bird with a bit of oil oil, sesame oil, salt, black pepper, herbs, and pink peppercorns. Chop the fresh garlic, slice the shallot, and quarter the lemon. Stuff each hen with half the fresh garlic, half the shallot and a quarter of a lemon. Rub the outside of the hens with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and herbs.
Place the hens in a Pyrex or metal baking dish and put into a 400 degree oven for 1 hour (cooking time may vary depending on your oven and size of the hens).
In a small saucepan melt the butter over low heat. When melted add the herbs and peppercorns, let sit 2 minutes to infuse. Add the balsamic vinegar, leave heat on for 2 minutes to reduce the acidity then turn off the stove.
When you hens have about 10-15 minutes left to cook, open the oven and brush them the butter/balsamic mixture. Repeat again with 5 minutes left to cook. This will give a nice golden brown color with a little bite to it.
Remove from heat, cover and let stand 5-10 minutes and enjoy.
Serves well with, new potatoes, brussels sprouts, and rice.
