Roasted Cornish Hens With Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing Food

CORNBREAD AND CHORIZO STUFFING

Steps:

• Make the cornbread: Preheat the oven to 425˚ F and oil a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and fine salt in a large bowl. Stir in the eggs, milk and vegetable oil until combined. Pour the batter into the pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool, then cut into 1- to 2-inch cubes. Spread out on a baking sheet and let dry out at room temperature overnight.
• Make the stuffing: Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chorizo and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl with a slotted spoon. Add the onion, celery, bell pepper and poblano to the skillet and cook, stirring, until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, sage, oregano and 1 teaspoon each kosher salt and pepper and cook, stirring, 2 more minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.
• Preheat the oven to 350˚ F and butter a 9-by-13-inch or other 3-quart baking dish. Whisk the eggs and 4 cups chicken broth in a large bowl. Add the cubed cornbread (about 12 cups) and the cooled chorizo mixture and toss to coat. (If the cornbread seems dry, add up to 1 more cup broth.) Transfer to the baking dish, dot with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and cover loosely with foil. Bake 30 minutes, then uncover, top with the pepitas and continue baking, uncovered, until the top is golden and crisp, 30 to 35 more minutes. Top with cilantro before serving.

CORNISH HENS WITH CHORIZO CORNBREAD STUFFING

Steps:

• Cook the Mexican chorizo in a dry skillet over medium heat, breaking up with a wooden spoon.
• Once the chorizo is crisp, pull it out of the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Remove 2 tablespoons of the chorizo drippings and set that aside as well. You'll be using that to season the Cornish hens.
• In the same pan, add the carrots, onions and celery, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Saute the veggies for 10 minutes, or until tender.
• Add the garlic and rosemary, and cook for 2 more minutes.
• Combine the chorizo, veggies, cornbread, cranberries, chicken broth egg, salt, pepper and 2 tablespoons of chives.
• Transfer the mixture to an oven proof dish.
• Cover with foil and refrigerate while you season the Cornish hens.
• Combine the chorizo drippings, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, rosemary, salt and pepper to create a flavorful paste.
• Spread the mixture all over the Cornish hens, both inside and out.
• Place the Cornish hens on a baking sheet lined with a rack.
• Tie the legs together with butchers twine so the Cornish hens cook evenly and keep their shape. Also, tuck the wings back so the tips don't burn while they roast.
• Roast the Cornish hens at 400°F for 20 minutes, then lower to 375°F and roast until the internal temperature reads 165°F on a meat thermometer (this should take another 30-40 minutes, depending on the size of the hens).
• To get the skin nice and crisp, baste the hens every 20 minutes with chicken stock or olive oil.
• Pop your chorizo cornbread stuffing into the oven with the Cornish hens during the last 20-25 minutes of cooking, just to crisp up the edges.
• Serve the roasted Cornish hens on a bed of the chorizo cornbread stuffing, and garnish with the remaining fresh chives.

CHORIZO AND CORNBREAD STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the chorizo, breaking it up with a spoon and stirring occasionally as it cooks, until it begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic to the chorizo and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have browned, about 10 minutes. Add the crumbled cornbread and cilantro and gradually pour in enough of the stock so the stuffing is not too dry but at the same time not too wet. Stir gently and well.
• Butter a small casserole dish. Spread the stuffing in an even layer. Bake until it's heated through and lightly browned on top, about 20 minutes. Serve right away, garnished with the cilantro and cotija, if desired.

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH CORNBREAD STUFFING

Steps:

• In a medium skillet, heat the 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-low heat. Saute the leeks for 8 to 10 minutes, until softened. Add the apples and cook for 3 minutes more. In a medium bowl combine the leek mixture with the sage, parsley, cornbread and enough broth to moisten. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Stuff the birds with the cornbread mixture and tie the legs of each hen together with kitchen twine. Melt the remaining butter. Brush the birds all over with butter and season with salt and pepper. Put the hens on a rack in a large roasting pan, breast-side up. Roast until an instant read thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 170 degrees F., about 80 minutes. Set the birds aside at room temperature, loosely covered with foil, for 10 minutes before carving. Split the hens in half through the breast with a sharp knife or poultry shears, and keep the stuffing intact. Arrange birds skin-side up, on a platter, garnish with sprigs of herbs and serve.

PAN ROASTED CORNISH HEN WITH BLUE CORN CHORIZO DRESSING WITH CRANBERRY MANGO RELISH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter and cook the chorizo, garlic, celery, onion, carrot and poblano for 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to a mixing bowl and add the cornbread, thyme, sage, cilantro, egg and stock and mix well. Place in 12 by 15-inch baking pan and bake for 25 minutes.
• In a hot skillet combine cranberries and brown sugar, cook until berries start to pop. Add all other ingredients, except cilantro, and heat, (add a spoon of water if sauce appears dry). Just before serving, toss in the cilantro.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• In a hot roasting pan, melt the butter and oil. Season the hens with salt and pepper to taste and sear until browned all over. Place, breast side down in the pan and roast for approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Check for doneness by seeing if juices run clear when bird is tipped. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Plate hens alongside of the dressing and serve with the relish.

ROASTED CORNISH HENS WITH DRIED CHERRY STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F
• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the dried cherries, sage and broth and cook for 2 more minutes. Stir in the cubed bread, salt and pepper and set aside.
• Season the Cornish hen halves with salt and pepper.
• Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Form the stuffing into 4 mounds on the baking sheet. Place 1/2 of a Cornish hen on top of each mound of stuffing. Roast the hens for 45 minutes or until thoroughly cooked.
• When the hens are finished, transfer them to a serving platter and let rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

CORNISH HENS WITH CORNBREAD STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400*F.
• To make stuffing:.
• Melt butter in a medium saute pan, add the onion, and cook over medium low heat for 8 minutes, until translucent. Remove from heat and add celery, parsley, cornbread, and chicken stock. Mix well, set aside.
• For the hens:.
• Rinse them inside and out, removing any pin feathers, and pat outsides dry. In a roasting pan that's just large enough to hold the hens loosely, toss in the onions and then place the hens on top, breast side up. Sprinkle the insides of the hens with salt and pepper and loosely fill the cavities with the stuffing. If there is any stuffing leftover, bake it in a separate pan until heated through.
• Tie the legs of each hen together and tuck the wings under the bodies. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with salt and pepper and roast for 50-60 minutes, until skin is browned and the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh.
• Remove from oven, cover with foil and allow to rest for about 15 minutes. Serve a whole hen per person. Enjoy!

HERB-STUFFED ROASTED CORNISH HENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Gently lift skin from hen breasts and place sage leaves under skin. Place lemon wedges and a third of the onions in the cavities. Tuck wings under hens; tie legs together. Place in a small greased roasting pan. , Combine butter, oil, lemon juice and garlic; spoon half of mixture over hens. Sprinkle with salt and pepper., Bake 30 minutes. Add potatoes and remaining onions to pan. Brush hens with remaining butter mixture. Bake until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175° and potatoes are tender, 40-45 minutes longer., Remove hens to a serving platter. Stir potatoes and onions to coat with pan drippings. Serve with hens.

SLOW COOKED STUFFED CORNISH HENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch baking pan.
• Melt 1/2 cup butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add celery and onion; cook and stir until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Mix in thyme, seasoned salt, parsley, black pepper, nutmeg, oregano, and marjoram.
• Transfer herb mixture to a large bowl. Add cubed bread and 2 cups chicken broth; toss until well combined. Spread stuffing evenly over the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
• Place Cornish hens on a flat work surface. Sprinkle salt inside the cavities.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add hens; season exteriors lightly with salt and pepper. Cook, turning to press all sides into the oil, until browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove hens from heat, reserving the oil.
• Spoon stuffing into the hen cavities; place hens in a slow cooker. Pour the reserved olive oil, wine, and 1/4 cup chicken broth into the slow cooker. Sprinkle sage, savory, and rosemary over the hens. Slice butter into 4 separate tablespoons and place on hens.
• Cook hens on Low until tender and juicy and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 8 hours and 30 minutes.

ROAST CORNISH GAME HENS WITH SAVORY FRUIT STUFFING

Steps:

• Thaw hen, if frozen. Rinse hen with cold water and pat dry. For stuffing, in a small saucepan combine water and margarine or butter; cook until margarine melts. Remove from heat. Stir in croutons, fruit bits, onion, and bouillon granules.
• Spoon stuffing into body cavity. Combine mayonnaise and poultry seasoning; coat hen with mayonnaise mixture.
• Place hen, breast side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Roast, uncovered, in a 375 degree F oven for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until drumstick moves easily in socket.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan combine cranberries, brown sugar, and orange juice concentrate. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 3 to 5 minutes or until cranberry skins pop.
• Serve with cranberry sauce, if desired.

ROAST CORNISH GAME HENS WITH CORNBREAD STUFFING

Steps:

• Remove the giblets from the hens, rinse with cold water and pat dry.
• Prepare the marinade- combine the vegetable oil, the wine, the chopped medium onion, the garlic, half of the rosemary, the 1/2 teaspoons salt and coarsely ground black pepper and the unsalted butter.
• Place the hens in a large food storage bag and pour the marinade over them.
• Close the bag securely and refrigerate for at least three hours.
• Shake the bag occasionally to coat the hens with the marinade.
• Prepare the stuffing- in saute pan, melt the salted butter.
• Saute the 1 cup chopped onions and celery in the butter until tender.
• In a large bowl, toss the bread cubes with the sauteed onions and celery.
• Mix in the poultry seasoning, sage and remainder of the rosemary.
• Add the eggs and enough chicken broth to slightly moisten and barely bind the ingredients.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Remove the hens from the bag and pat dry with paper towels.
• Season the hens to taste inside and out with salt and pepper.
• Stuff the cavity loosely with the cornbread stuffing.
• Brush butter over the skin of the hens and place them breast side up in a roasting pan with enough space to allow room between the hens.
• Roast for 15 minutes to brown.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and baste frequently with pan drippings for 45 minutes.

STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• In a large skillet or saucepan, saute celery and onion in 2 tablespoons butter until tender. Remove from the heat. Stir in cornbread, bread crumbs, pimientos, broth, egg, poultry seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; mix well. , Stuff each hen with 3/4 cup stuffing. Place extra stuffing in a greased 1-qt. baking dish; refrigerate. Place hens breast side up on a rack in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Cover loosely with foil; bake at 375° for 45 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt the remaining butter; add garlic, lemon zest, mint and remaining salt and pepper. Brush over hens. Bake 15-30 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 180° for hens and 165° for stuffing. Bake the extra stuffing, covered, for 30 minutes.

CORNBREAD-STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS WITH CORN MAQUE CHOUX

Steps:

• For stuffing:
• Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery; sauté until beginning to color, about 5 minutes. Add apples; sauté until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Mix in sage, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; transfer to large bowl. Let stand until almost cool, about 10 minutes.
• Mix cornbread into vegetables. Add egg and toss to blend. Mix in cheese, then enough apple cider by tablespoonfuls to form stuffing that is moist but not wet.
• Game hens:
• Sprinkle cavity of each hen lightly with salt and pepper. Pack 1 cup stuffing into each (place any leftover stuffing into buttered ramekins and cover with foil). Skewer cavities closed with toothpicks or turkey lacers. Tuck wing tips under; tie legs together to hold shape. Mix sage, coarse salt, and pepper in small bowl; sprinkle over hens.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place 2 hens in skillet. Sauté until brown, turning often with wooden spoons (to prevent tearing skin), about 10 minutes. Transfer to rimmed baking sheet, breast side up. Repeat with remaining hens. Drape 2 bacon strip halves over breast of each hen. Using kitchen string, tie bacon strips in place. (Place any ramekins of stuffing on baking sheet with hens.)
• Place hens (and extra stuffing) in oven. Roast hens until cooked through and juices run clear when thigh is pierced, about 45 minutes. (Roast stuffing 30 minutes.) Cut strings off hens. Transfer hens to plates. Spoon maque choux around hens and serve with extra stuffing.