By Dani
Boy, oh boy, you guys, I love to cook fancy stuff at Christmastime. However, I'm a little short on time and long on stuff to do, you know? That's why I loved this recipe... it's a unique flavor (the combination of sweet, spicy, and savory is really nice) and so easy to make! Enjoy!
Ingredients (serves four):
- Two cornish game hens (thawed)
- Mixed berries (I used a frozen berry mix from Trader Joe's, about a 12-ounce bag)
- One tablespoon diced jalapenos (for less spice, use pickled, pre-chopped jalapenos rather than fresh)
- Olive oil to taste
- Raspberry or Champagne vinegar to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Stuff hen cavities with berries and half the jalapenos each. Place hens breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan, if you have any extra berries, toss them in the bottom of the pan to flavor the drippings.
Sprinkle hens with salt and pepper and brush with olive oil and vinegar. Then cook for 10 minutes at 400 to get a crispy glaze.
Brush hens with oil and vinegar again, then turn oven down to 350 and cook for about 50 minutes, or until juices run clear, basting with oil and vinegar every 15 minutes.
When they're ready, pull the hens from the oven and let them rest for 5-15 minutes under foil. While the hens rest, strain the pan drippings into a sauce pan, add a little butter and flour and heat until you have a thickened gravy. Then slice hens down the middle and serve with gravy, polenta or rice for a lovely, easy holiday dinner!
(Photo credit: Me. - Adapted from a recipe in Pike Place Market Cookbook)
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