Cornish Hens with Basil-Wild Rice Stuffing

A combination of brown rice and wild rice makes for a nutty tasting stuffing. Or, grill the stuffing packet alongside chicken breasts, pork chops, or salmon steaks.


Cornish Hens with Basil-Wild Rice Stuffing


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Prep Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
Servings: Makes 4 servings.
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Ingredients
 
savings in
 
  • 1  tablespoon  olive oil or cooking oilOn Sale
  • 1/4  cup  chopped onionOn Sale
  • 1  clove  garlic, mincedOn Sale
  • 2  cups  cooked brown riceOn Sale
  • 1  cup  cooked wild riceOn Sale
  • 1/4  cup  snipped fresh basilOn Sale
  • 2  tablespoons  grated Parmesan cheeseOn Sale
  • 1/2  teaspoon  saltOn Sale
  •   Dash  ground nutmegOn Sale
  • 2  1-1/4- to 1-1/2-pound  Cornish game hensOn Sale
  • 2  tablespoons  honeyOn Sale
  • 2  teaspoons  Dijon-style mustardOn Sale

Directions
1.
For stuffing, in a small skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook until vegetables are tender. Stir in brown rice, wild rice, basil, Parmesan cheese, salt, and nutmeg. Tear a 36x18-inch piece of heavy foil. Fold in half to make double thickness that measures 18x18 inches. Place stuffing in the center of the foil. Bring up two opposite edges of foil and seal with a double fold. Then fold remaining ends to completely enclose the stuffing, leaving space for steam to build. Chill the packet until ready to grill.
2.
Twist wing tips under back. Tie legs to tail. Stir together honey and mustard.
3.
Arrange preheated coals around a drip pan in a covered grill. Test for medium heat above pan. Place hens, breast side up, on grill over drip pan. Cover and grill for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until tender (180 degrees F), brushing occasionally with mustard mixture the last 10 minutes of grilling. Place the foil packet of stuffing beside the hens on grill rack. Grill foil packet directly over medium to medium-high coals the last 15 to 20 minutes of grilling. To serve, cut hens in half lengthwise with poultry shears. Serve with stuffing. Makes 4 servings.

Make ahead directions
Prepare stuffing and wrap in foil. Chill up to 24 hours.

Nutrition information
Calories 523, Total Fat 24 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Cholesterol 102 mg, Sodium 470 mg, Carbohydrate 41 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 36 g. Daily Values: Vitamin A 0%, Vitamin C 1%, Calcium 5%, Iron 5%. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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how-tos

Recommended Recipe:
Glazed Roasted Cornish Game Hens with Couscous Stuffing
Glazed Roasted Cornish Game Hens with Couscous Stuffing

If you can't find dried apples for the stuffing, dried plums or cherries are good substitutes.

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