Lemon Leek Roasted Cornish Hens Recipes

CORNISH HENS WITH LEMON AND HERBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place hens in a roasting pan, breast sides up. Place 2 thyme sprigs and 1 lemon half in cavity of each hen. Loosen skin from breast, and place remaining thyme and the parsley underneath. Squeeze remaining lemon halves over hens. Rub butter all over hens. Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Roast hens, rotating pan halfway through, until skin turns golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 180 degrees, 45 to 50 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. Cut hens in half lengthwise. Garnish with thyme sprigs, and serve with lemon wedges.

LEMON LEEK ROASTED CORNISH HENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place hens in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Stuff each hen with 1 lemon half and 1/4 of the sliced leeks, then sprinkle with seasoning.
• Bake at 350 degrees F 9175 degrees C) for 1 hour, or until hens are cooked through and juices run clear. Let stand 10 minutes, then remove lemon and leeks.

LEMON LEEK ROASTED CORNISH HENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place hens in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Stuff each hen with 1 lemon half and 1/4 of the sliced leeks, then sprinkle with seasoning.
• Bake at 350 degrees F 9175 degrees C) for 1 hour, or until hens are cooked through and juices run clear. Let stand 10 minutes, then remove lemon and leeks.

LEMON-SAGE CORNISH GAME HENS WITH TOMATO-PORCINI SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine 3/4 cup hot water and porcini mushrooms in small bowl. Let stand until mushrooms soften, about 30 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer mushrooms to work surface. Coarsely chop mushrooms. Set mushrooms and soaking liquid aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon chopped sage and garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add puréed tomatoes, broth, chopped mushrooms and soaking liquid, leaving any sediment from liquid behind. Simmer over medium-low heat until thickened to sauce consistency, about 25 minutes. (Sauce can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Pat hens dry with paper towels. Sprinkle cavities with salt and pepper. Place 1 sage sprig and 1 lemon wedge in cavity of each hen. Tie legs together to hold shape. Tuck wing tips under hen. Place hens on rack in large roasting pan. Rub remaining 2 tablespoons oil over hens. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon chopped sage over breast of each hen. Roast until hens are cooked through and juices run clear when thickest part of thigh is pierced, about 50 minutes. Transfer hens to platter. Tent with foil.
• Pour pan juices from roasting pan into 1-cup glass measuring cup, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pan. Spoon fat off top of juices. Add pan juices to tomato sauce. Simmer 2 minutes to blend flavors. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
• Spoon Soft Polenta with Leeks onto 4 plates. Spoon tomato sauce over polenta. Place hens atop polenta and serve.