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Cornish Game Hens with Garlic and Rosemary
Prep
20 mins
Cook
1 hr
Servings
4
Difficulty
Hard
There's something wonderfully elegant about serving a whole roasted bird to each guest, and these Cornish game hens are the perfect solution. They're individual sized, which means they cook in just an hour, making this restaurant worthy dinner surprisingly simple for a weeknight. I love how the garlic becomes sweet and mellow as it roasts alongside the hens, infusing everything with incredible flavor. Plus, garlic is packed with compounds that support heart health and boost immunity. The fresh rosemary adds a fragrant earthiness that ties everything together beautifully. This dish proves you don't need complicated techniques or expensive ingredients to create something truly special for the people you care about.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 44 cornish game hens
- 33 tablespoons olive oil, divided, salt and pepper to taste
- 11 lemon, quartered
- 88 sprigs fresh rosemary, divided
- 2424 cloves garlic
- ⅓ cup white wine⅓ cup white wine
- ⅓ cup low-sodium chicken broth⅓ cup low-sodium chicken broth
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Rub hens with 1 tablespoon olive oil; lightly season with salt and pepper. Stuff 1 lemon quarter and 1 rosemary sprig into each cavity. Place hens in a large, heavy roasting pan and arrange garlic cloves around them.
- 2
Roast in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk wine, chicken broth, and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil together in a small bowl.
- 3
Remove hens from the oven; reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Pour wine mixture over the hens and continue roasting, basting with pan juices every 10 minutes, until hens are golden brown and juices run clear, about 25 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
- 4
Transfer hens to a platter, pouring any cavity juices into the roasting pan; discard lemons and rosemary. Tent hens with aluminum foil to keep warm.
- 5
Transfer pan juices and garlic cloves to a medium saucepan; boil until reduced to a sauce consistency, about 6 minutes.
- 6
Cut hens in half lengthwise and arrange two halves on each plate. Spoon sauce and roasted garlic on top. Garnish with remaining rosemary sprigs and serve.
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