Adobo Style Cornish Hens Recipes

SPICY MAPLE CORNISH HENS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Pat the game hens dry and place on the prepared rack. Mix the butter, 1/3 cup maple syrup and 2 tablespoons brown sugar with the salt and all the spices in a bowl. Rub the birds with the butter mixture, making sure it gets in all the cavities and under the skin. Reserve any unused butter for later. Sprinkle the hens with a little extra salt and paprika.
• Roast for 30 minutes, then baste with the juices at the bottom of the baking sheet, or a little of the remaining butter. Return to the oven and roast until the juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh (do not touch bone) registers 165 degrees F, another 15 to 30 minutes more. Remove the hens to a cutting board or serving tray to rest and remove the rack. Pour the dry sherry into the hot baking sheet and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits; add a little of the stock if necessary. Transfer the sherry mixture to a small saucepan and add any remaining butter. Melt over medium heat. Meanwhile, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons chicken stock in a small bowl to make a slurry. Add the slurry and the remaining stock to the saucepan along with the remaining 1/3 cup syrup and remaining 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Serve the game hens with the sweet and spicy gravy.

ADOBO-STYLE CORNISH HENS

Steps:

• Cook the rice as the label directs. Meanwhile, cut the hens in half with kitchen shears, cutting along one side of the breastbone; season with salt and pepper. Heat the canola oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over high heat. Add the hens, skin-side down, and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
• Pour off all but about 2 tablespoons oil from the pot. Add the onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Return the hens to the pot, skin-side up; add 2 cups water, the soy sauce, sugar, peppercorns and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Lay the scallions on top of the hens; cover and cook until the scallions are tender and the hens are cooked through, about 10 minutes.
• Uncover the pot and add the vinegar (do not stir). Cook, uncovered, until the liquid is reduced by about two-thirds, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the hens and scallions; discard the bay leaves from the pan sauce. Serve with the rice.

WALNUT PESTO BROILED CORNISH HENS

Steps:

• 1. Set the oven rack on the lowest level and preheat the broiler to high. Line the bottom of a broiler pan with foil and brush with oil.
• 2. Combine the parsley, walnuts, pecorino, 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a food processor. Add 1 tablespoon water and process until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds. (Makes about 1 cup.)
• 3. Pat the chicken dry and carefully loosen the skin to form a pocket under the skin. Lift the skin, and use a spoon or fingers to stuff about 1/4 cup pesto deep into the pockets of each of the halves, cover as much of the meat as possible without breaking the skin. Season each side of the chicken with salt and pepper. Place the chicken skin-side down on the pan and broil until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Carefully turn to keep the skin intact and cook the other side until crispy and dark brown, about 10 minutes. Garnish with lemon and serve with potatoes.
• Total Fat: 51 grams
• Saturated Fat: 12 grams
• Total Carbohydrates: 3 grams
• Protein: 37 grams
• Sodium: 724 milligrams
• Cholesterol: 185 milligrams
• Fiber: 1 gram
• Recipe courtesy of Food Network Kitchens for entwine.
• Copyright 2010 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

BAKED CORNISH HENS ADOBO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350'F Rinse and pat the hens dry with paper towels.
• Oil the hens and sprinkile inside and out with the adobo powder.
• Truss the birds if you wish. Baste ever 15 minutes with butter.
• Bake for 1 hour or until the meat (breasts) reaches 165'F. Let sit for 10 minutes before you cut up the hens.
• Enjoy!

FILIPINO ADOBO-STYLE CORNISH HENS LAPID

Steps:

• In a bowl stir together soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, oregano, bay leaves, and salt and pepper to taste. Put hens in a large sealable plastic bag and pour soy sauce mixture over them. Seal bag, pressing out extra air, and put in a bowl or shallow dish. Marinate hens, chilled, turning bag once or twice, at least 2 hours and up to 12.
• Preheat oven to 450.
• Arrange hens, skin side up, in a baking pan, 13 by 9 by 2 inches, and pour marinade around them. Bake hens in middle of oven 20 to 25 minutes, or until just cooked through.
• Discard bay leaves and serve Cornish hens with rice.