Wednesday 17 April 2013

Cornish game hens with herbed Quinoa stuffing!



This recipe isn't as much trouble as it looks and most of it can be made the day before.  It is a wonderful main course for a dinner party, one in which you will surely impress your dinner guests.  I would suggest though that you make it for a group of close friends.  This is definitely not for elegant entertaining...you want to be able to get at those little morsels next to the bone and the picture won't be dainty, but definitely worth the effort. Wee Bear does not like to deal with bones, so, this time I de-boned for him. I did not ballantine/gallantine this time, which would be tedious with a cornish game hen, but, do-able. I cut the meat off the bones after roasting and this time, he made sure he got every bite and then some!  The stuffing is to die for and can definitely be served  with something else such as turkey, quail or duck. 




3 cornish game hens cut in half (your butcher will thaw and cut in half for you, but you need to call ahead)
Seasoning salt ( I use Lawrys, a old family favorite)
herbs (I used rosemary)
butter, melted

Brush outside with butter. Sprinkle Lawry's on inside cavity and out side of hen.

Stuffing
1 c. quinoa, cooked Link to cooking quinoa

1 large shallot chopped
1 lb. mushrooms sliced
1/4 c. pine nuts
1/4 c. currents
2 cloves of garlic minced
1 tsp. Kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

Saute the mushrooms, move to a bowl. Saute the shallots until translucent, move to bowl.




Add the quinoa, pine nuts, currents, garlic, salt and pepper. Mix together. Stuff the whole hen or place a mound on the baking sheet and lay hen on top. 




Bake for 1 hour at 350 F degrees or 30 minutes on 350 F Convection Roast.


I served with Smash hot potatoes, white corn and roasted brussel sprouts.

Yum!!

This week I will be participating in the Surprise Recipe Swap. It is always on the 20th of the month, so instead of posting on Friday, I will post on Saturday!! You will love it....Wee Bear enjoyed what I made while I was gone to The Pearl Laguna, every night he would say, it is really good.....really! Curious? See you Saturday!



6 comments:

  1. I am having my boyfriends parents over for dinner on Sunday to meet my parents...I am making this. Thank you for all your inspiring ideas! Tammy

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    1. I hope they enjoy! I just loved it, as did our guests!

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  2. This was a spectacular dish. I added some truffle oil to the stuffing, delish!

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    1. OMGosh! I am over the moon about truffle!! I just brought some home with me from Italy. What a great addition! Thanks for commenting! JJ

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  3. This is so good! I made for Sunday dinner, ever family member loved it!

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