Experience the cozy flavors of autumn with these New England Roasted Cornish Game Hens, a show-stopping dish that's as elegant as it is comforting. Perfectly seasoned and stuffed with fresh rosemary, thyme, garlic, and zesty lemon, these tender hens are roasted to golden perfection atop a bed of caramelized maple-glazed root vegetables, including carrots, parsnips, and potatoes. A touch of butter and a splash of chicken broth ensure every bite is succulent and flavorful, while the maple syrup glaze adds a hint of sweetness that captures the essence of New England. Ready in just over an hour, this rustic yet refined recipe is ideal for special occasions or an impressive dinner party centerpiece. Serve with the pan juices for an irresistible finishing touch! Keywords: New England roasted Cornish game hens, maple-glazed root vegetables, elegant dinner recipes, holiday main course, stuffed Cornish hens.
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Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Remove the giblets from the Cornish game hens if necessary, and pat the hens dry with paper towels.
Rub each hen with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then season generously with salt and black pepper, inside and out.
Stuff each hen with 2 garlic cloves, 1 sprig of rosemary, 1 sprig of thyme, and two lemon quarters.
Tie the legs of each hen together with cooking twine to ensure even cooking and presentation.
In a large roasting pan, arrange the carrots, parsnips, and potatoes. Drizzle the vegetables with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Nestle the hens on top of the vegetables in the roasting pan.
Melt the butter and mix it with the maple syrup. Brush the mixture over the skin of each hen for a hint of sweetness and a golden finish.
Pour the chicken broth into the roasting pan to keep the vegetables moist and provide a base for a light pan sauce.
Place the pan in the preheated oven and roast for 55-60 minutes, or until the hens are golden brown and the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F (75°C).
Stir the vegetables halfway through cooking to ensure they roast evenly.
Remove the roasting pan from the oven and let the hens rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Serve the roasted Cornish game hens with the maple-glazed root vegetables on the side, and drizzle any pan juices over the top for added flavor.
Serving size | (4148.3g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 6468.7 |
Total Fat 336.9g | 0% |
Saturated Fat 97.9g | 0% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.7g | |
Cholesterol 1740.4mg | 0% |
Sodium 7829.7mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate 336.5g | 0% |
Dietary Fiber 47.9g | 0% |
Total Sugars 74.2g | |
Protein 497.7g | 0% |
Vitamin D 209.0IU | 0% |
Calcium 817.3mg | 0% |
Iron 40.5mg | 0% |
Potassium 12154.9mg | 0% |
Source of Calories