Cornish Hen with Blood Orange Olive Oil Recipe

Cornish Hen Blood Orange Olive Oil Recipe

Cornish hens are not only unique for a dinner party or date night entrée but inexpensive as well.  One hen will serve two people and they usually come in a package of two hens that can be individually thawed.  If you do not have fresh cherries, replace with the frozen version and thaw.  Serve with long grain wild rice for a wonderful meal.  Serves two.  Adjust amounts to accommodate the number of people serving.

INGREDIENTS:

-1 Cornish game hen thawed
-Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
-4 tablespoons of Blood Orange Infused extra virgin Olive Oil by Sonoma Farm divided
-2 1/2 tablespoons of minced shallots
-1 cup of ruby port
-1 cup of beef broth
-1 tablespoon of cornstarch
-2 tablespoons of water

TECHNIQUE:

Rinse hens and remove anything inside the cavity.  Season hen with salt and pepper.  Add 2 tablespoons of the blood orange infused oil to a large saucepan and sear hen on all sides 5 minutes for top and bottom and 3 minutes for sides.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees and place in a baking dish with 2 tablespoons of the blood orange infused olive oil.  Bake for 45 minutes or until done, no pink should remain in the middle.  Tent with foil and let rest for 10 minutes before cutting in half.  While hen is baking make sauce.  Using the same pan that the hens were seared in, sauté the shallots over medium high heat for about 1 – 2 minutes.  There should be enough oil in the pan but add more if needed.  Add the port and deglaze the pan.  Add the broth and bring to a boil.  Reduce by about half.  Make a thickening agent of cornstarch and water.  Gradually whisk in thickening agent to boiling sauce a little at a time to desired thickness.  Sauce will not thicken until brought to a full boil.  Plate by cutting hen in half, add sauce to bottom of plate and top with half of the hen.  Serve additional sauce on the side.

July 2010
Sonoma Farm