LEMON-SAGE CORNISH GAME HENS WITH TOMATO-PORCINI SAUCE

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Lemon-Sage Cornish Game Hens with Tomato-Porcini Sauce image

Categories     Chicken     Game     Mushroom     Tomato     Roast     Lemon     Winter     Sage     Bon Appétit

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

3/4 cup hot water
3/4 ounce dried porcini mushrooms*
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon plus 4 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 14 1/2-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes in juice, puréed in blender with juices
1/2 cup canned low-salt chicken broth
4 1 1/4- to 1 1/2-pound Cornish game hens, giblets removed
4 large fresh sage sprigs
1 lemon, cut into 4 wedges
Soft Polenta with Leeks
*Dried porcini mushrooms are available at Italian markets, specialty foods stores and many supermarkets.

Steps:

  • Combine 3/4 cup hot water and porcini mushrooms in small bowl. Let stand until mushrooms soften, about 30 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer mushrooms to work surface. Coarsely chop mushrooms. Set mushrooms and soaking liquid aside.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon chopped sage and garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add puréed tomatoes, broth, chopped mushrooms and soaking liquid, leaving any sediment from liquid behind. Simmer over medium-low heat until thickened to sauce consistency, about 25 minutes. (Sauce can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
  • Preheat oven to 450°F. Pat hens dry with paper towels. Sprinkle cavities with salt and pepper. Place 1 sage sprig and 1 lemon wedge in cavity of each hen. Tie legs together to hold shape. Tuck wing tips under hen. Place hens on rack in large roasting pan. Rub remaining 2 tablespoons oil over hens. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon chopped sage over breast of each hen. Roast until hens are cooked through and juices run clear when thickest part of thigh is pierced, about 50 minutes. Transfer hens to platter. Tent with foil.
  • Pour pan juices from roasting pan into 1-cup glass measuring cup, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pan. Spoon fat off top of juices. Add pan juices to tomato sauce. Simmer 2 minutes to blend flavors. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Spoon Soft Polenta with Leeks onto 4 plates. Spoon tomato sauce over polenta. Place hens atop polenta and serve.

Ahmed Elfadul
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This dish is a favorite of mine. The chicken is always moist and flavorful, and the sauce is rich and creamy. I highly recommend this recipe.


Matthew Lemerond
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I'm not a big fan of cooking, but this recipe was easy to follow and the results were amazing. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious. I will definitely be making this dish again.


Paulinus Onah
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This recipe is a bit time-consuming, but it's definitely worth the effort. The chicken is incredibly flavorful and juicy, and the sauce is rich and complex. I will definitely be making this dish again.


Shah Md
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I love the combination of lemon, sage, and Cornish game hens. This dish is always a hit with my family and friends.


Darren Wilson
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This dish is a bit pricey, but it's worth every penny. The chicken is cooked perfectly and the sauce is divine. I highly recommend this recipe for a special occasion.


Sk Rajib Khan
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I'm not a big fan of Cornish game hens, but this recipe changed my mind. The chicken was moist and flavorful, and the sauce was rich and creamy. I will definitely be making this dish again.


Nishit Shik
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I was looking for a special dish to make for my anniversary dinner and this recipe fit the bill perfectly. The chicken was cooked to perfection and the sauce was delicious. My husband loved it!


Donna Ingle
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This recipe is easy to follow and the results are amazing. The chicken is cooked perfectly and the sauce is rich and flavorful. I highly recommend this recipe.


Yasmeen bibi
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I've made this dish several times and it's always a hit. The chicken is juicy and tender, and the sauce is flavorful and delicious. I usually serve it with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.


Samantha Salas
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This dish is a favorite of mine. The chicken is always moist and flavorful, and the sauce is rich and creamy. I highly recommend this recipe.


Kaliisa Jamiru
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I love this recipe! The chicken is always cooked perfectly and the sauce is delicious. I usually serve it with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.


Muhammad Mursaleen
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This recipe is a bit time-consuming, but it is definitely worth the effort. The chicken was incredibly flavorful and juicy, and the sauce was rich and complex. I will definitely be making this dish again.


Willie Collado
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I made this dish for a dinner party and it was a huge success. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce was rich and flavorful. I would definitely recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a special occasion dish.


Anas Mondol
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This dish was easy to make and very impressive. I served it to guests and they raved about it. The chicken was moist and tender, and the sauce was flavorful and delicious.


Elly Manuel
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I was a bit skeptical about the combination of lemon, sage, and Cornish game hens, but I was pleasantly surprised. The flavors were very well-balanced and the chicken was cooked perfectly.


Precious Gina
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This recipe is a keeper! The chicken was so juicy and flavorful, and the sauce was incredibly rich and complex. I highly recommend this dish to anyone looking for a special meal.


Mdnurnabi Mdnurnabi
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I followed the recipe exactly and the dish turned out perfectly. The chicken was cooked to perfection and the sauce was amazing. I served it with roasted vegetables and it was a hit with my family.


Reham Udeh
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This dish was absolutely delicious! The chicken was moist and flavorful, and the sauce was rich and savory. I will definitely be making this again.