Honey King Cornish Hens For Your Special Guy

Donna Hodge Food Editor

With Father’s behind us, knowing that you went full out to make him smile, we want to continue the act of preparing something special and memorable at least once a week. We know Dad is probably the king of the grill, so last weekend was his day to kick back, relax and be pampered. And if you want to keep that special man in your life smiling. Here’s a delicious recipe that is quick and easy to prepare. You can cook it in the oven or on the grill. The seasonings work just as well for meat and fish too.

I love preparing meals with Cornish Hens. Often forgotten, these little hens are juicy, tender, and easy to prepare. They adapt to many different seasonings. You can stuff them with regular dressing or fill them with a variety of fruit. This recipe can be cooked in the oven or smoked on the grill. Served with rice drizzled with gravy accompanied by dad’s favorite vegetables, and you have a winning dinner! Don’t forget to give him his favorite beverage. From a tall glass of cold milk to a chilled cocktail, shaken or stirred, it’s the thought of creating a delicious meal that will warm his heart, is what counts.

Honey King Cornish Hens

2 Cornish hens (1.5 pounds) each

1 tablespoon All Purpose Seasoning

1 teaspoon lemon pepper

1 teaspoon granulated garlic

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

½ stick butter

2 limes, juiced

½ cup Apricot Preserves

1 cup Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Whiskey *

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 oranges, cut up into cubes

4 garlic cloves, peeled

Preheat oven to 400F.

Thaw Cornish hens in the refrigerator. When thawed, rinse well. Pour lime juice over the hens, then pat them dry. Set them aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine all seasonings. Rub chickens with 1 tablespoon of butter. Rub seasoning mixture all over the outside and inside the cavity of the hens. Place oranges, 2 garlic cloves, in the cavity of each hen. Lightly rub roasting pan or baking dish with olive oil. Arrange the chicken in a large, heavy roasting pan. Spray foil with olive oil or nonstick buttered spray. Cover hens with foil. Roast for 25 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300F. Cook for an additional 25-30 minutes. Cook until hens are golden brown, and juices run clear. Use an instant digital thermometer, cook until the thermometer reaches 170 degrees.

In a microwave bowl, add apricot preserves, Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey Whiskey, brown sugar, and remaining butter. Cook for 1 minute. You can also cook this in a small pot on the stove. Just bring it to a slow boil. Remove it from the heat. Ten minutes before the hens are done, drizzle them with the apricot glaze. Place back into the oven for the last 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat, let them cool. Pour remaining glaze over the hens. Serve with rice. Drizzle a little of the glaze over the rice.

*Note: You can substitute the Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Whiskey with apple or orange juice.