Serves 4
Game hens are sold both fresh and frozen. If you've selected a frozen one, follow your microwave manufacturer's directions for defrosting and turn and rearrange the birds frequently for even defrosting. I've tried game hens both fresh and frozen, and I found that there's enough of a difference in flavor and tenderness to make me strongly prefer fresh.
2 Cornish game hens
6 sprigs fresh parsley
1 small onion, halved
1 clove garlic, halved
3 small carrots, peeled, cut in 1/2-inch slices (1 cup)
2 medium tomatoes, peeled and cut in wedges, or 6 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 medium zucchini, cut in 3/4-inch slices (1 cup)
1/4 pound mushrooms, quartered (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 and 1/2 teaspoon minced, fresh rosemary or 1/2 teaspoon dried
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 tablespoons cold water
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Into each hen cavity, place 3 sprigs parsley, 1/2 onion and 1/2 garlic clove.
Place carrots, tomatoes, zucchini and mushrooms in a microwave-safe baking dish. Combine chicken broth, wine and 1/4 teaspoon rosemary; pour over vegetables. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave at HIGH (100% power) 5 minutes. Arrange hens, breast side down, on top. Sprinkle with remaining rosemary and pepper. Cover with wax paper. Microwave at MEDIUM-HIGH (70% power) 11 minutes per pound combined weight of hens. Halfway through cooking time, stir vegetables; turn hens breast side up and rotate dish. Re-cover with wax paper.
Remove hens to serving platter, reserving juices for gravy. Using slotted spoon, arrange vegetables around hens and cover with foil; allow to stand 10 minutes. Cut hens in half to serve.
To prepare gravy, in a 4 cup glass container, combine water and cornstarch. Slowly add reserved cooking juices (about 3/4 cup) from hens; stir to blend. Microwave at HIGH 2 minutes or until thickened, stirring twice. Serve with Cornish hens.
Chicken Recipes - The Perdue Chicken Cookbook
Copyright (C) by Mitzi Perdue - Used with Permission
Eggscape
Chicken Recipes
Jim O'Hara