Cider Maple Oven-Roasted Cornish Hen
Ingredients:
– 2 Cornish hens
– 1/2 cup apple cider
– 1/4 cup maple syrup
– 3 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
– 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 lemon, halved
– 1 small onion, quartered
– Fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs for garnish
Directions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 400F 200C. Line a roasting pan with foil or lightly grease it.
2. Prepare the Marinade:
In a bowl, whisk together the apple cider, maple syrup, olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Prepare the Hens:
Pat the Cornish hens dry with paper towels. Season the cavity of each hen with salt and pepper, and stuff each with half a lemon and a couple of onion quarters. Truss the legs with kitchen twine if desired.
4. Marinate the Hens:
Place the hens in the roasting pan and brush generously with the cider maple marinade. Reserve some marinade for basting. Roast the hens for 60-70 minutes, basting every 20 minutes with the reserved marinade, until the internal temperature reaches 165F 75C and the skin is golden brown.
5. Rest and Serve:
Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs before serving. Serve with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Nutritional Information:
– Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 1 hour 10 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
– Kcal: 500 kcal per serving Servings: 2 servings
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