Cornish hen, a small but flavorful bird, is an excellent choice for a special occasion meal. Its delicate flavor pairs well with a variety of sauces, making it a versatile main course. One particularly delicious option is a whisky and cream pan sauce, which adds a rich, creamy flavor to the hen. The whisky adds a slight smoky flavor and depth of complexity, while the cream creates a smooth and velvety sauce. This dish is sure to impress your guests and is perfect for a romantic dinner or a special celebration.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
SHEET PAN THANKSGIVING CORNISH HEN DINNER
Make Thanksgiving dinner yet more elegant when everyone gets their own individual Cornish hen. Place root vegetables under hens and roast on a sheet pan until cooked. The juices from the hen season the vegetables. Delicious! Can store seasoning, covered, for 6 months.
Provided by tcasa
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Cornish Hen Recipes
Time 1h15m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). Spray a large sheet pan with cooking spray.
- Arrange potatoes, carrots, and onion on the sheet pan in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning on top.
- Mix butter and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning together until well blended.
- Rinse hens well, inside and out, under cool running water. Remove bag from inside the cavity. Pat the hens dry with paper towels. Season the cavity with salt and pepper. Make a pocket between the skin and the meat with your fingers, being careful not to rip the skin.
- Divide butter mixture between the hens and place it between the breast meat and skin. Place hens on top of the potato and onion mixture. Season the outsides with salt, pepper, and remaining Italian seasoning. Place lemon inside the cavity of the hen. Pour chicken broth into the bottom of the sheet pan.
- Roast in the preheated oven until hens are nicely browned, 35 to 45 minutes. Tent the hens with foil during the last few minutes of cooking to prevent overbrowning, if needed. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Meanwhile, drain about 1/2 cup of the pan drippings from beneath the vegetables into a small saucepan to start the gravy. Bring to a boil. Mix flour and cold water together and add to the pan drippings, whisking until desired consistency is reached. Serve gravy alongside Cornish hens.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 590.7 calories, Carbohydrate 68 g, Cholesterol 180.9 mg, Fat 16 g, Fiber 10 g, Protein 44.3 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 370.1 mg, Sugar 5.8 g
CORNISH HEN WITH WHISKY AND CREAM PAN SAUCE
Categories Chicken Roast Kid-Friendly Quick & Easy Dinner Fall Winter
Yield 4 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- For the Cornish hen: Preheat the oven at 450º and position the rack in the middle of the oven. Place a hen, breast side down on a cutting board. Remove the backbone by cutting along both sides with shears or large sharp knife. Flip the hen and flatten it by pressing down on the breastbone with your palm. Split the hen in two along the breastbone. Repeat with the remaining hen. Place on a heavy baking dish and spread on each half, ¼ of a teaspoon of butter, Herbs de Province, salt and pepper and a drop of olive oil. Place in the hot oven and cook for 30 to 45 minutes. Poke the hen while cooking to release any juices. When done, remove from the oven, place the hen in a dish and cover awith aluminum foil and let rest. To make the sauce: Place the unwashed cooking pan over the stove and add the remaining 2 tablespoon of butter and let it melt. Lower the heat and add the whisky, very slowly. With a wooden spoon scrape up any bit on the pan. Add the shallots and cook until tender, 1 minutes. Add the Worcestershire sauce, mustard and raise the heat to medium high. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Add the heavy cream and the lemon juice. Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot over the Cornish hen.
PAN SEARED CORNISH HEN
Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 1h
Yield 2 to 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- For the potatoes: In a bowl smash the boiled potatoes. Add the sour cream, onions, parsley and egg yolk, and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Form the mashed potato mixture into 4 cakes and coat with the breadcrumbs. Refrigerate and hold for later use.
- For the Cornish hens: Sprinkle the Cornish hens on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat a large saute pan over high heat, add the grapeseed oil and heat until it just begins to smoke. Carefully lay the hens in the pan, skin-side down. Sear the hens until the skin is golden brown and releases from the pan. Reduce the heat to medium-high, turn the hens over, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the chicken stock and cover the pan with a lid. Continue to cook the hens until they are cooked through, or when an internal thermometer reaches 160 degrees F along the thigh bone. Remove the hens from the pan and let rest.
- Add the demi glace and garlic to the stock in the pan and reduce by half.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, and then whisk or swirl in the pan to incorporate. Add the tarragon and season the jus with salt and pepper.
- Finish the potato cakes. In a saute pan over high heat, heat the grapeseed oil until it just begins to smoke. Place the potato cakes in the pan and cook until the cakes are golden brown. Reduce the heat to medium and flip the cakes and cook until both sides are golden brown. Remove the potato cakes and hold hot for plating.
- For the broccoli rabe: In a saute pan, heat the grapeseed oil and add the broccoli rabe. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and add the butter. Remove from the pan to a paper-towel-lined plate.
- To plate, spoon 2 ounces of the tarragon jus on to the center of each plate. Place a portion of the broccoli rabe in the center of the sauce. Place a potato cake on top each broccoli rabe pile, then place either half or a whole hen over the potato cakes. Pour the remainder of the sauce over the hens.
WHISKY CREAM SAUCE
This indulgent whisky cream sauce will elevate your standard midweek meal. Serve this silky smooth sauce with haggis, steak or mashed potatoes
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Condiment
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat the butter and oil in a small pan over a medium heat until the butter starts to foam. Fry the shallot until soft but not golden, about 8 mins.
- Add the bay leaf and garlic, then cook for 1 min more. Add 100ml whisky and simmer until absorbed by the shallots, and almost evaporated.
- Pour in the stock and simmer for 5-10 mins until reduced by half. Stir in the cream and simmer for another 5 mins until thickened slightly. Season with salt and taste the sauce. Stir in the remaining whisky for a stronger flavour. Serve with haggis, steak or mashed potatoes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 380 calories, Fat 32 grams fat, SaturatedFat 19 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 2 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 2 grams sugar, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 2 grams protein, Sodium 0.39 milligram of sodium
ELEGANT CORNISH HENS
This lovely entree not only looks special, it tastes special, too. Your holiday guests are sure to be impressed.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h5m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Rub oil over hens; sprinkle with salt, thyme and pepper. Place skin side up on rack in a shallow roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 35-40 minutes or until thermometer reads 180°. Broil hens for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown., Meanwhile, toss mushrooms with 2 teaspoons oil, salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Spread in a single layer on a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 25-30 minutes, turning once. Set aside., For sauce, in a saucepan, saute onion and garlic in remaining oil. Add the broth, mustard, vinegar, brown sugar, tomato paste, bay leaf and remaining pepper; bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat until mixture is reduced to 1 cup. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into sauce. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in tarragon and mushrooms; heat through. Discard bay leaf. Serve sauce over hens.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 328 calories, Fat 13g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 189mg cholesterol, Sodium 873mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 45g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
STEAKS WITH WHISKEY CREAM SAUCE
This is the ultimate decadent, impressive, delicious main dish. This came from a set a recipe cards my sister received as a gift many years ago. It's one of my favourite meals to make, share, and enjoy. :)
Provided by Sara 76
Categories Steak
Time 45m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Press steaks into a neat shape; cut bread into rounds about the same size as the steaks.
- Heat butter in pan, add mustard, mix well. Brush bread on both sides with mustard butter, place on oven tray, bake in moderate oven 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Heat remaining butter in pan, add steaks, cook until done as desired; remove from pan, keep warm.
- Drain off pan dripings, leaving 1 Tbsp in pan. Add flour and shallot, stir over medium heat a few seconds. Stir in water, stir until sauce boils, add cream, parsley, buillon cube, whiskey and lemon juice. Reduce heat, simmer 2 minutes. Put steaks on bread, serve with sauce over.
- This is best served with new potatoes and green beans.
CORNISH HEN WITH TART CHERRY SAUCE
This was an idea I had for a long time but never got around to doing it and it came out fantastic couldn't have hoped for better. My wife and I loved it. The tart cherries complement the flavorful rub on the hen perfectly. For golden brown crispy skin increase temperature to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for last 10 minutes of cooking.
Provided by Slim Cooker
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Cornish Hen Recipes
Time 1h50m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Combine sea salt, black pepper, thyme, garlic powder, rosemary, and paprika in a bowl. Place hens on a baking sheet and evenly brush with 5 tablespoons butter. Rub hens with spice mixture.
- Bake hens in preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 1 1/2 hours, basting every 1/2 hour with white wine. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C).
- Mix cherries, red wine, orange juice, and brown sugar in a saucepan; bring to a boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, stir in 2 tablespoons butter, and cook until sugar is dissolved and butter is melted, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle flour into the sauce; whisk until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Drizzle cherry sauce over cooked hens.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 646.2 calories, Carbohydrate 19.7 g, Cholesterol 204.4 mg, Fat 41.4 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 27.2 g, SaturatedFat 18.6 g, Sodium 530.5 mg, Sugar 13.5 g
CORNISH GAME HENS WITH MADEIRA AND CREAM SAUCE
From Simca's Cuisine. This recipe says it serves 6 and it calls for 3 hens. I like to serve 1 hen per person so for me this recipe would serve only 3. I haven't tried this yet but I love the way it sounds and the preperation is simple.
Provided by Oolala
Categories Chicken
Time 55m
Yield 3 hens, 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Remove broiler pan and put chicken stock in it.
- Preheat the broiler.
- Cut hens into halves and season with salt and pepper. Brush with butter and sprinkle with oil and place in broiler about 6 inches from heat for 35-30 minutes; turning and basting every 10 minutes.
- The hens will be done when juices run clear or yellow.
- Remove to a warm serving dish, cover with foil and keep in the turned off oven while finishing the sauce.
- Deglaze the broiler pan with the madeira wine, scraping bottom of pan with a fork to gather all sediment.
- Set pan over heat and warm and stir in cream by spoonfuls. Simmer 3 minutes and taste. Add salt and pepper.
- Use cornstarch, if you with to thicken, by diluting with 1-2 tablespoons cold water.
- Take hens out of oven and serve with the sauce drizzled over it.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 353.6, Fat 25, SaturatedFat 10.8, Cholesterol 154.2, Sodium 159.4, Carbohydrate 1.8, Sugar 0.5, Protein 24.8
CORNISH HEN WITH CHERRY-HAZELNUT WINE SAUCE
Steps:
- Toast the hazelnuts in a small, dry skillet over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until they are lightly browned and begin to smell toasty, 4 to 5 minutes. Watch carefully; nuts can burn quickly. Transfer to the folds of a clean dish towel to remove the skins while the nuts are still warm, then discard the skins and let the nuts cool. Coarsely chop the nuts.
- Using poultry shears or a very sharp knife, cut along each side of the hen's backbone and remove it. Turn the hen over on your cutting board, splay it out butterfly-style, and press on the breastbone to break it. Sprinkle it with salt and allspice then rub the yogurt all over it.
- Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until it starts to shimmer. Place the hen, meat side down, in the skillet and weight it down with a smaller skillet with a large can of tomatoes or other heavy object on top. (Or, do as I do, and use a heavy cast-iron bacon press, made for just this kind of thing.)
- Let the hen cook until the yogurt has formed a dark brown crust on the meat side, 5 to 10 minutes. Lift off the weight assembly, and use tongs to turn the hen over onto the bone side. Return the weights and cook until an internal thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh and the breast reads at least 165°F, another 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate and loosely cover with aluminum foil while you make the sauce.
- Pour the wine syrup into the skillet and use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the dried cherries and hazelnuts, stir to combine, and season with salt and pepper to taste. (If you're using wine instead of the syrup, pour it in, scrape up the browned bits from the pan, add the dried cherries and hazelnuts, then let the wine bubble and reduce by about half. Add the sugar to taste and continue reducing the sauce until it is thick and sticky, then season with salt and pepper to taste.)
- Remove the sauce from the heat, spoon the sauce over the hen, and eat.
Tips:
- Choose the right Cornish hens: Look for hens that are plump and have a moist, even skin. Avoid hens that have any bruises or discoloration.
- Prepare the hens properly: Rinse the hens inside and out with cold water and pat them dry. Remove any excess fat from the hens, but leave the skin intact.
- Season the hens generously: Rub the hens inside and out with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. You can also stuff the hens with herbs, vegetables, or fruit.
- Cook the hens slowly and evenly: Roast the hens in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Baste the hens with the pan juices every 20 minutes or so to keep them moist.
- Make the pan sauce while the hens are cooking: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and sauté the shallots until they are softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, or until the mixture is golden brown. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, or until it has thickened. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
- Serve the hens with the pan sauce: Transfer the hens to a serving platter and spoon the pan sauce over them. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately.
Conclusion:
Cornish hens with whisky and cream pan sauce is a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The hens are roasted to perfection and the pan sauce is rich and flavorful. This dish is sure to impress your guests.
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