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Glazed Cornish Game Hens With Apricot Pistachio Dressing
Glazed Cornish Game Hens With Apricot Pistachio Dressing
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Elevate your holiday meal with festive and accessible Cornish game hens as the star dish.
Ingredients:
  • 4 Cornish game hens (about 1 1/2 pounds each), cut down the backbone with heavy-duty scissors and spread open
  • 2 cups kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 medium-large onion, cut into medium dice
  • 1 cup dried apricots, cut into medium dice
  • 0.5 cup apricot jam
  • 0.25 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 0.5 cup pistachio nuts, coarsely chopped
  • 0.5 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions:
  • Enhance the flavor of the hens by brining them: Mix 2 cups of kosher salt in a bucket filled with 5 quarts of water. Submerge the hens and let them sit for 2 hours. Rinse well and dry gently.
  • Preheat your oven to 450 degrees on the upper middle rack.
  • In a large skillet, warm oil over medium heat. Cook onions until softened, for approximately 7 minutes. Add apricots, then transfer the mixture to a large lipped cookie sheet (about 18-by-12 inches). Arrange hens on top. Combine jam and vinegar, then brush most of the mixture over the hens, reserving a few tablespoons.
  • Bake the hens, basting with the remaining jam mixture and pan juices a few times until golden brown and the juices run clear, approximately 45 minutes. Switch the oven setting from bake to broil, then broil the hens until they turn a golden brown, watching closely to prevent burning, for about 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Use tongs to elegantly place the hens on a large platter, and then cut them in half at the breastbone to create individual servings.
  • Place the apricot dressing back in the oven and broil for an additional 5 minutes to reduce excess liquid. Mix in pistachios and parsley, then serve in a generous mound alongside the hens.

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