Best 10 Game Hens With Sumac Pomegranate And Cardamom Rice Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Middle Eastern flavors with this delightful recipe for game hens with sumac, pomegranate, and fragrant cardamom rice. This dish combines succulent game hens, coated in a tantalizing sumac and pomegranate marinade, roasted to perfection, and paired with fluffy and aromatic cardamom scented rice. Get ready to savor a harmonious blend of tangy, sweet, and earthy flavors that will transport your taste buds to a world of culinary delight.

Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!

GAME HENS WITH SUMAC, POMEGRANATE AND CARDAMOM RICE



Game Hens With Sumac, Pomegranate and Cardamom Rice image

There's very little difference these days between the small chickens marketed as game hens and the ones called poussins. Both names are used, and they refer to a bird that weighs about 1 pound. And both birds work here in this recipe. The hens are beautifully burnished and seasoned with sumac and pomegranate molasses, which adds a tart sweet and sour flavor. (You can find the molasses at Middle Eastern groceries.) Figure one whole bird per person, or half a bird for smaller appetites. Fragrant cardamom-spiced basmati rice makes a perfect accompaniment.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     dinner, main course

Time 1h15m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

4 game hens or poussins, about 1 pound each
Salt
2 teaspoons sumac
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
2 cups basmati rice, rinsed
8 cardamom pods
8 cloves
2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup currants
½ cup golden raisins
¼ cup pomegranate seeds
3 tablespoons lightly toasted pine nuts
Mint sprigs or chopped mint, for garnish

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400 degrees. Season birds inside and out with salt, then tie legs together with butcher twine. In a small bowl, mix together the sumac, cinnamon and black pepper. Sprinkle spice mix evenly over exterior of birds and put a pinch in the cavities, too.
  • Place seasoned birds in a roasting pan just big enough to fit and drizzle all over with pomegranate molasses. Turn birds breast-side down and add water to pan to a depth of ½ inch. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 375 and turn birds breast-side up. Continue cooking for another 20 to 25 minutes, using a brush to baste birds with pan juices frequently, until well browned. Juices in thigh should run clear when pierced with a paring knife.
  • Meanwhile, make the rice: Put rinsed basmati rice in a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Add cardamom, cloves, butter, currants, raisins, 2 1/2 cups water (or broth) and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then put on lid and turn heat to very low. Cook rice for 15 minutes, then turn off heat. Leave covered for 10 minutes.
  • To serve, fluff rice and mound on a large warmed platter. Surround rice with finished birds and give birds a last dab of the pan juices. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds and pine nuts over everything and garnish with mint. Serve the pleasantly tart pan juices separately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 976, UnsaturatedFat 31 grams, Carbohydrate 71 grams, Fat 50 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 58 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 946 milligrams, Sugar 17 grams, TransFat 0 grams

GLAZED CORNISH HENS WITH POMEGRANATE-RICE STUFFING



Glazed Cornish Hens With Pomegranate-Rice Stuffing image

These pomegranate and orange glazed hens make a festive main course. Wild rice and herbs create a hearty stuffing spiced with cumin and ginger. Any extra rice can be layered between grape leaves and baked to serve alongside.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 2h30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 Cornish hens (about 1 1/4 pounds each), rinsed and dried
15 jarred grape leaves (optional)
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups wild rice blend
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large shallot, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 cup pomegranate seeds, plus more for serving
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus sprigs for serving
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, plus sprigs for serving
3 large egg yolks
3/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses

Steps:

  • Mix the cinnamon, 4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl; sprinkle all over the hens and inside the cavities. Place the hens on a rack set on a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate, uncovered, at least 2 hours or overnight. Meanwhile, soak the grape leaves in water 1 hour.
  • Bring the chicken broth and 2 cups water to a boil in a saucepan; add the rice blend and cook as the label directs. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallot, garlic, ginger and cumin and cook, stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; add the cooked rice, pomegranate seeds, and chopped parsley and cilantro; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Add the egg yolks and stir to combine.
  • Make the glaze: Bring the orange juice and pomegranate molasses to a boil in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter.
  • Fill the cavity of each hen with about 1/2 cup of the rice mixture (reserve the rest); tie the legs together with twine. Roast 20 minutes, then brush with the pomegranate glaze. Continue roasting, glazing every 10 minutes, until a thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 165 degrees F to 170 degrees F, 1 hour to 1 hour, 10 minutes. (Rotate the hens halfway through cooking; if the skin gets too dark, cover loosely with foil.)
  • Meanwhile, drain the grape leaves and pat dry. Use some of the leaves to line a 9-inch pie dish. Fill with the reserved rice mixture and drizzle with 2 tablespoons water. Cover with the remaining grape leaves, shiny side up, then cover with foil. (If you aren't using grape leaves, spoon the rice into a pie dish, sprinkle with water and cover with foil.) After the hens have roasted about 20 minutes, transfer the rice to the oven and cook until heated through, about 45 minutes.
  • Transfer the hens to a platter and add some parsley and cilantro sprigs and pomegranate seeds. Peel the grape leaves off the top of the rice and serve alongside the hens.

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH POMEGRANATE MOLASSES



Cornish Game Hens with Pomegranate Molasses image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 Cornish game hens, split, spine and wing tips removed
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
1 bottle (12 fluid ounces) pomegranate molasses
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons sliced scallion greens, cut thin on the bias, for garnish

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Tie each hen's legs together with butcher's twine or a blanched scallion green.
  • Coat a large saute pan with olive oil and bring to medium-high heat. Season the hens on both sides generously with salt. Carefully lay the hens in the pan, skin side down, and cook until the skin becomes brown and crispy, 6 to 7 minutes. Turn the hens over and brown on the flesh side. Do not crowd your pan, you may need to do this in batches. Remove the hens to a sheet tray.
  • Meanwhile, combine the molasses and garlic in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the molasses to a boil and reduce by half until syrupy, about 20 minutes.
  • Brush the hens on both sides with the reduced molasses. Put the hens in the oven and roast until they are cooked through, basting occasionally, about 20 minutes.
  • Remove the hens from the oven and garnish with the sliced scallions.

ROASTED GARLIC-ROSEMARY CORNISH GAME HENS



Roasted Garlic-Rosemary Cornish Game Hens image

Make and share this Roasted Garlic-Rosemary Cornish Game Hens recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Ceezie

Categories     Meat

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/4 cup thinly sliced garlic clove
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
6 (1 1/4 lb) Cornish hens
6 rosemary sprigs
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
cooking spray

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Mix garlic and chopped rosemary together in a small bowl.
  • Rinse each hen under cold water; pat dry. Starting at neck cavity, loosen skin from breast by gently inserting fingers between skin and meat. Place about 2 teaspoons of garlic mixture under skin and spread evenly over breast meat. Place 1 rosemary sprig in body cavity. Sprinkle hens with salt and pepper.
  • Tie ends of legs together with cord. Lift wing tips out and tuck under hen. Place hens on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray; bake for 1 hour or until juices run clear. Remove skin and cord before serving; split hens in half lengthwise.

BAKED CARDAMOM-SCENTED RICE PUDDING WITH ORANGES IN HONEY & POMEGRANATE SYRUP



Baked cardamom-scented rice pudding with oranges in honey & pomegranate syrup image

Take rice pudding to the next level with a little spice and oranges in honey with pomegranate syrup. It's a decadent and easy dessert that only takes 10 minutes to prep

Provided by Diana Henry

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h40m

Number Of Ingredients 14

50g butter , plus more for the dish
50g caster sugar
1 cardamom pod , seeds removed and ground
100g pudding rice
1l whole milk
150ml double cream
1unwaxed orange , zested
¼ tsp vanilla extract
2 large oranges , juiced and 2 broad strips of orange zest
200ml pomegranate juice
1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
5 tbsp honey
75g granulated sugar
4-5 oranges (a mixture of regular and blood; if mostly blood oranges, you will need 5, as they're smaller)

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2 and butter a wide 1.5-litre ovenproof baking dish. Put the butter, sugar, cardamom, pudding rice and milk in a saucepan and bring gently to the boil, stirring to help the sugar dissolve. Add the cream, a pinch of salt, orange zest and vanilla and bring to a simmer. Simmer for about 4 mins, stirring, until you can feel that the rice grains have become slightly swollen. Pour into the buttered baking dish and bake for 2 hrs, uncovered. The rice should be cooked but not dry or sticky. It might need a little longer, but keep an eye on it.
  • Meanwhile, make the compote. Heat the orange juice, pomegranate juice, molasses, honey and sugar, stirring to help the sugar dissolve. Simmer for 8 mins until reduced slighty. Transfer to a jug. If you have more than 300ml, reduce it by boiling a bit more. The mixture will thicken as it cools. Strain, cover and chill in the fridge.
  • Cut the top and bottom off the oranges to form a flat base. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut away the pith and peel. Cut the fruit into slices, catching any juice if you can (add it to the syrup). Put the oranges in a bowl, pour on the syrup and serve with the rice pudding.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 554 calories, Fat 27 grams fat, SaturatedFat 17 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 69 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 55 grams sugar, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 8 grams protein, Sodium 0.5 milligram of sodium

MOROCCAN-STYLE CORNISH GAME HENS



Moroccan-Style Cornish Game Hens image

Categories     Chicken     Game     Poultry     Vegetable     Roast     Dinner     Spice     Carrot     Fall     Winter     Bon Appétit     Paleo     Dairy Free     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
2 teaspoons cardamom seeds (from about 1 1/2 tablespoons cardamom pods)
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1/2 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 Cornish game hens (each 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pounds), rinsed, patted dry
1 pound carrots, peeled, cut diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1/2 cup chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth
Orange-Honey Sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Finely grind first 7 ingredients in spice grinder or coffee grinder. Transfer to small bowl. Whisk in orange juice, oil and garlic. (Spice mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
  • Rub spice mixture all over hens; place hens in large roasting pan. Sprinkle hens inside and out with salt and pepper. Tie legs together to hold shape. Arrange carrots in pan around hens. Sprinkle carrots with salt and pepper. Roast 30 minutes. Add stock to roasting pan. Roast hens until juices run clear when thickest part of thigh is pierced and carrots are tender, basting hens occasionally with pan juices, about 35 minutes longer. Place 1 hen on each of 4 plates. Arrange carrots alongside. Spoon warm Orange-Honey Sauce over and serve.

POMEGRANATE-GLAZED CORNISH GAME HENS WITH WILD RICE-CHESTNUT STUFFING AND YOGURT SAUCE



Pomegranate-Glazed Cornish Game Hens with Wild Rice-Chestnut Stuffing and Yogurt Sauce image

This delicious recipe for pomegranate-glazed Cornish game hens with wild rice-chestnut stuffing and yogurt sauce comes courtesy of chef Cat Cora.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Main Dish Recipes     Casserole Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 cup wild rice, rinsed
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
2/3 cup coarsely chopped chestnuts (either fresh or from a jar or can), toasted
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh sage
3 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
4 Cornish game hens, rinsed and patted dry
1 cup pomegranate juice
2 cups homemade or canned store-bought low-sodium chicken stock
1/2 cup white wine, optional
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • In a 2-quart saucepan, combine rice, 3 cups cold water, and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Immediately reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until all the liquid has evaporated, 45 to 55 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees with rack in center of the oven. Transfer rice to a large bowl, along with chestnuts, onion, thyme, sage, parsley, and dill; stir to combine. Lightly season the cavity of each game hen with salt, and loosely fill with equal amounts of stuffing, leaving a little space in each for the rice to expand during roasting. Any remaining stuffing may be baked in a covered heatproof dish; set aside.
  • Using kitchen twine, truss hens by tying the legs together tightly, looping each side of the string around a wing, and bringing the string all the way around the bird tightly to hold the legs together and the wings close to the body.
  • Season hens with salt and pepper, and place breast side down on a rack set in a roasting pan. Roast for 15 minutes, and baste with pomegranate juice. Continue basting with remaining pomegranate juice every 15 to 20 minutes. During the last 25 minutes of roasting, place the reserved stuffing into the oven to heat. When 10 minutes remain, flip the hens over and continue roasting until the hens are dark golden brown and the juices run clear when pierced at the thigh. Total cooking time for hens will be 50 to 55 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, not touching the bone, should register 175 degrees to 180 degrees.
  • Remove hens and stuffing from the oven. Transfer hens to a platter. Cover with foil, and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Place roasting pan on the stove over medium-low heat. Add 1/2 cup chicken stock. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up any browned bits from the roasting pan. Add wine, if using. Sift flour into the roasting pan, and stir to combine. Slowly whisk in 1 1/2 cups stock. Cook until mixture has thickened, 5 to 6 minutes. The consistency of the gravy may be adjusted with a teaspoon or two of stock or wine. Season with salt and pepper.
  • In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, garlic, and olive oil. Gently stir in the mint and pomegranate seeds. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Place a hen on each of 4 plates. Spoon gravy over hens and garnish with parsley, feta cheese, additional stuffing, and yogurt sauce.

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH GARLIC AND ROSEMARY



Cornish Game Hens with Garlic and Rosemary image

Crusty garlic bread and a nice light Chianti wine complement this meal very well.

Provided by MOONANDBACK

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Cornish Hen Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 Cornish game hens
salt and pepper to taste
1 lemon, quartered
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
3 tablespoons olive oil
24 cloves garlic
⅓ cup white wine
⅓ cup low-sodium chicken broth
4 sprigs fresh rosemary, for garnish

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
  • Rub hens with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Lightly season hens with salt and pepper. Place 1 lemon wedge and 1 sprig rosemary in cavity of each hen. Arrange in a large, heavy roasting pan, and arrange garlic cloves around hens. Roast in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
  • Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a mixing bowl, whisk together wine, chicken broth, and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil; pour over hens. Continue roasting about 25 minutes longer, or until hens are golden brown and juices run clear. Baste with pan juices every 10 minutes.
  • Transfer hens to a platter, pouring any cavity juices into the roasting pan. Tent hens with aluminum foil to keep warm. Transfer pan juices and garlic cloves to a medium saucepan and boil until liquids reduce to a sauce consistency, about 6 minutes. Cut hens in half lengthwise and arrange on plates. Spoon sauce and garlic around hens. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 814.3 calories, Carbohydrate 9.7 g, Cholesterol 339.7 mg, Fat 57.5 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 59.4 g, SaturatedFat 14.6 g, Sodium 1382.6 mg, Sugar 0.4 g

POMEGRANATE GLAZED CORNISH GAME HENS



Pomegranate Glazed Cornish Game Hens image

I have not tryed this yet. But I will. Pomegranates are a great souce of Vitiamin C and Potassium. Sure sounds good hope you all will like it. I got this recipe out of the sunday newpaper in the coupons.

Provided by Braunda

Categories     Poultry

Time 1h20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 Cornish hens
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon thyme
2 tablespoons pomegranate juice, from 3 pomegrantes (10oz)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 deress Season game hens with salt,pepper and thyme cook on rack for 1 hr.
  • or until done.
  • Brush pomegranate glaze on hens.
  • Roast another 5 mins.
  • Sprinkle with fresh pomegranat arils.
  • Serve wigth remaining glaze as a sauce.
  • Pomegranate Glaze To juice pomegranate slice in half crosswise and use a citrus juicer.
  • In stainless stell sauce pan simmer juice with a pinch of salt until reduced to a syrupy glaze about 10 Mins.

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH RICE STUFFING



Cornish Game Hens with Rice Stuffing image

My mother used to make this for Easter dinner. The rice stuffing is a perfect partner for the hens. Packaged wild rice mix can be used as well.

Provided by MOMMYCOFFEY

Categories     100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes

Time 2h10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons slivered almonds
2 tablespoons chopped onion
⅓ cup uncooked wild rice
1 cup water
1 cube chicken bouillon
½ teaspoon salt
2 Cornish game hens
salt to taste
¼ cup melted butter

Steps:

  • Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the almonds, onion, and uncooked wild rice. Saute 5 to 10 minutes. Mix in the water, chicken bouillon cube, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook 45 minutes until rice is tender and easily fluffed with a fork.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Season the Cornish game hens inside and out with salt, and stuff with the rice mixture. Place the hens breast side up on a rack in a baking pan. Brush with 1/4 cup melted butter.
  • Cover the baking pan, and cook the hens 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Uncover, and continue cooking 1 hour, or until the hens are no longer pink and the juices run clear.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 396.9 calories, Carbohydrate 11.3 g, Cholesterol 128.9 mg, Fat 32.3 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 15.8 g, SaturatedFat 15.8 g, Sodium 1341.1 mg, Sugar 0.7 g

Tips:

  • Mise en place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all of your ingredients and equipment ready to go. This will help you stay organized and avoid any scrambling during the cooking process.
  • Season your game hens generously: The sumac, pomegranate, and cardamom marinade will add a lot of flavor to the game hens, but you should also season them with salt and pepper to taste. This will help to enhance the natural flavors of the meat.
  • Roast the game hens until they are cooked through: The best way to check if the game hens are cooked through is to insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The internal temperature should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Let the game hens rest before serving: Once the game hens are cooked, let them rest for a few minutes before carving. This will help the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful.
  • Serve the game hens with your favorite sides: The cardamom rice is a great side dish for game hens, but you can also serve them with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple salad.

Conclusion:

This recipe for game hens with sumac, pomegranate, and cardamom rice is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The combination of flavors is unique and flavorful, and the game hens are cooked to perfection. Whether you are a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe is sure to impress your guests. And here are some additional tips for making this recipe: * If you don't have sumac, you can substitute another Middle Eastern spice, such as za'atar or cumin. * If you don't have pomegranate molasses, you can make your own by simmering pomegranate juice until it reduces by half. * If you don't have time to marinate the game hens overnight, you can marinate them for at least 30 minutes. * You can also cook this recipe in a slow cooker. Just place the marinated game hens in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

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