Cornish Hens with Cranberry-Orange Glaze

Serves 2
Time 45 min

Surprise that special someone with this delicious, simple recipe for Cornish hens. Cranberries and mandarin orange slices combine in a tangy sweet glaze, providing an exquisite sauce for the baked hens. A perfect entrée for a romantic fireside dinner, this dish provides a visual feast when served with sautéed greens and mashed potatoes.

Special Diets:

Dairy FreeDairy Free
Gluten FreeGluten Free

Ingredients

    12 ouncesfresh or frozen cranberries
    3/4 cupsugar
    1 tablespoonorange zest
    1/2 cuporange juice
    1 1/2 cupsmandarin orange segments, fresh, peeled and seeded (or canned, drained)
    2 tablespoonsPort (optional)
    1Cornish hen, halved lengthwise
    1/2 teaspoonfine sea salt
    1/4 teaspoonground black pepper

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Method

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.


For the sauce, combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice and mandarin orange segments in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stir to blend.


Bring to a boil.


Cover the saucepan and decrease the heat to low, simmer, stirring frequently, until berries have broken open and released their juices, about 8 to 10 minutes.


Add port, stir, and cook for 2 minute more.


Divide sauce.


Using a mesh strainer, strain half of the sauce into a small saucepan by pressing on the solids with the back of a spoon to create a glaze.


Place remaining sauce in a separate serving bowl, set aside.


For the hen, rinse hen halves and pat dry with paper towels.


Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place hen halves, skin side up, on the prepared baking sheet.


Brush about 2 tablespoons of the glaze over each hen half, coating generously.


Roast hen halves until golden and their juices run clear, about 25 minutes.


Pour pan juices into reserved glaze mixture and bring to a boil.


Reduce heat and simmer to thicken slightly and blend flavors, about 3 minutes.


Transfer hen halves to plates. Spoon remaining glaze on top and serve with sauce.

Nutritional Info

Serving Size

Calories

900

Total Fat

27g

Saturated Fat

7g

Cholesterol

190mg

Sodium

710mg

Total Carbohydrate

126g

Dietary Fiber

9g

Total Sugars

113g

Protein

34g

Note: We've provided special diet and nutritional information for educational purposes. But remember - we're cooks, not doctors! You should follow the advice of your health-care provider. And since product formulations change, check product labels for the most recent ingredient information. See our Terms of Service.