Dhanshak Parsi Cornish Hens Braised In Spiced Pumpkin Lentil Puree Recipes

DHANSHAK (PARSI CORNISH HENS BRAISED IN SPICED PUMPKIN-LENTIL PUREE)

Steps:

• Layer all of the above ingredients, in the order listed, in a 5-quart microwave-proof casserole dish. Cover and cook at 100 percent power in a 650- to 700-watt microwave carousel oven for 35 minutes, or until the Cornish hens are tender and the lentils soft. Remove from the oven.
• Remove the hens and arrange them in a heated deep serving dish. Cover with aluminum foil to keep them warm.
• Meanwhile, transfer the vegetables and their liquid to a food processor and puree. You may have to work in batches. Do not overprocess: a little texture adds to the character of the sauce. Pour the sauce over the hens. Garnish with the fresh cilantro and serve.

BRAISED CORNISH HEN WITH APRICOTS AND DATES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Rehydrate the apricots by covering them with boiling water and steeping them for 10 minutes before draining and slicing into quarters. Pit and roughly chop the dates, mix them with the apricots, and set aside. Combine the sugar with all of the liquid ingredients. Bring to a boil and simmer 10 minutes, then set aside.
• Season the Cornish Hens, inside and out, with salt and pepper. Place 1 bay leaf and 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme inside each bird and close the body cavity by tieing with twine or with a skewer or toothpicks so that the bird holds its shape.
• Brush the hens with olive oil, place them breast side down in a roasting pan, and roast for 20 minutes. At the end of 20 minutes, pour off any excess fat from the pan turn the birds breast side up and roast 20 minutes more. At the end of this 20 minute roasting period, add the apricots, dates, and the liquid to the roasting pan, and braise the contents of the pan together for another 25 minutes. Check the oven every so often to see that the liquid has not all evaporated. If it has, add enough water to keep the bottom third of the hens moist.
• At the end of the cooking time, allow the hens to rest 10 minutes before serving. Place one hen on each dish and pour some of the apricot and date sauce over the top.