Cornish Hens With Fruit Walnuts And Honey Apple Glaze Chicken Recipes Roast Chicken Recipes

Ingredients

2 tart apples

c. dried apricots

c. raisins

1 c. walnuts

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

2 tbsp. melted butter

1/4 c. apple juice

2 tbsp. honey

1/4 tsp. dried thyme

1/2 tsp. salt

2 Cornish hens (about 1 1/4 pounds each)

1/4 tsp. fresh-ground black pepper

Preparation

Step 1Heat the oven to 425°F. In a roasting pan, combine the apples, apricots, raisins, walnuts, cinnamon and butter. Spread the mixture over the bottom of the pan.Step 2In a small bowl, combine the apple juice, honey, thyme and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt to make a glaze. Sprinkle the Cornish hens with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper and set them breast-side down on top of the fruit-and-nut mixture. Brush the hens with some of the glaze and then cook for 10 minutes.Step 3Remove the roasting pan from the oven. Stir the fruit-and-nut mixture and turn the hens over. Brush them with more of the glaze, return the pan to the oven, and cook until just done, about 15 minutes longer. Glaze the hens one final time and serve them with the fruit-and-nut dressing.Step 4Menu Suggestion: Earthy wild rice or bulgar pilaf will balance the sweet fruit dressing here.Step 5Wine Recommendation: The fruits and nuts in this dish will pair well with the rich texture and flavor of a Tokay Pinot Gris, a white from Alsace in France. A red wine with plenty of fruit flavor, such as a grenache from California, would be another good match.