Apricot Glazed Cornish Game Hens With Apricot Rice Stuffing

Total Time: 2 hrs 45 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 2 cornish hens
• 1/4 cup water
• 6 ounces apricot preserves (sugar free)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• garlic powder
• cooking spray
• aluminum foil
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 6 -8 dried apricots, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup brown rice
• 1/2 cup long grain and wild rice blend (parexcelence)
• 2 cups chicken broth

Recipe

• 1 for glaze: put 1/4 cup water, apricot preserve and cinnamon in a microwave safe bowl.
• 2 microwave on high about 20 seconds.
• 3 stir to blend.
• 4 if not blending well, microwave another 10 seconds.
• 5 stir again till smooth.
• 6 for rice: sauté garlic, celery, onion, apricots in oil about 5 minutes.
• 7 add brown rice; sauté another 3 minutes.
• 8 add 2 cups chicken broth and 3-4 tablespoons of glaze sauce.
• 9 bring to a boil.
• 10 lower heat to a low simmer.
• 11 simmer covered 10-15 minutes.
• 12 add pilaf rice.
• 13 stir, cover and simmer 15-25 minutes or longer until liquid is absorbed.
• 14 allow to cool. (this could be done earlier in the day if you see fit).
• 15 for hens: preheat oven to 400°f; line a 13 x 9 pan with foil and spray foil with cooking spray.
• 16 wash hens, remove giblets and pat dry.
• 17 sprinkle with garlic powder in and out of hens.
• 18 stuff with rice mixture.
• 19 brush with glaze mixture.
• 20 to prevent over browning make a foil tent.
• 21 crease a sheet of foil crosswise through the center to form a tent leave 1-2 inches between top of hens so heat can circulate crimp on sides.
• 22 bake 30 minutes.
• 23 remove foil and brush with glaze.
• 24 bake uncovered until hens are tender and juices run clear, about 40-45 minutes, basting about every 10-15 minutes until glaze is used up.
• 25 2-4 servings depending on appetite.