Orange-Glazed Cornish Hens

By Thom7747

This is a wonderfully elegant entree to serve at a cozy dinner party for four. Your guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen preparing the tender golden-brown hens and perfecting the full flavored basting sauce. --Laurie Bartley, Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey

Ingredients

• 4 each Cornish game hen, 22 ounces each
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup Madeira, or Sherry
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

Preparation

Step 1

Tie legs of each hen together; turn wing tips under backs.
1. Place on a greased rack in a roasting pan.
2. Brush with butter; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Bake, uncovered, at 350º for 1 hour.

In a saucepan...
1. Combine the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
3. Spoon over hens.

Bake 15 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer reads 180º.