Cornish Hens With Oregano Pesto And Quinoa Stuffing

By The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

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Cornish Hens With Oregano Pesto And Quinoa Stuffing

This recipe makes 8 servings

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Ingredients

Quinoa Stuffing:
1 tbsp olive oil 1 1tbsp tbspolive oil
1/2 onion , chopped1/2 1/2oniononions, chopped
1 1celery stalkcelery stalks, (including leaves),diced
2 carrots , finely chopped2 2carrotcarrots, finely chopped
1/2 cup quinoa 1/2 1/2cup cupquinoa
1 cup hot water 1 1cup cuphot water or vegetable stock
1 bay leaf 1 1bay leafbay leaves
1 tbsp grated lemon rind 1 1tbsp tbspgrated lemon rind
1 tbsp lemon juice 1 1tbsp tbsplemon juice
1/2 cup frozen peas , thawed1/2 1/2cup cupfrozen peas, thawed
1 pinch salt 1 1pinch pinchsalt
1 pinch pepper 1 1pinch pinchpepper
Cornish hens:
4 Cornish hens , (1 1/2 lb/750 g each)4 4Cornish henCornish hens, (1 1/2 lb/750 g each)
3 tbsp butter , melted3 3tbsp tbspbutter, melted
1 pinch salt 1 1pinch pinchsalt
1 pinch pepper 1 1pinch pinchpepper
1 cup chicken stock 1 1cup cupchicken stock
4 whole head garlic 4 4whole head garlic
Oregano Pesto:
3/4 cup packed fresh parsley sprigs 3/4 3/4cup cuppacked fresh parsley sprigfresh parsley sprigs
1/4 cup packed fresh oregano leaves 1/4 1/4cup cuppacked fresh oregano leaffresh oregano leaves
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 1/4cup cupfreshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup olive oil 1/3 1/3cup cupolive oil
2 cloves garlic , minced2 2cloves garlic, minced

Preparation

Quinoa Stuffing:
In saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; cook onion, celery and carrots, stirring often for 10 minutes.

In strainer, rinse quinoa under cold water; drain well and add to pan. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.

Add water, bay leaf and lemon rind and juice; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Discard bay leaf. Stir in peas; season with salt and pepper.

Oregano Pesto:
In food processor, finely chop together parsley, oregano and Parmesan. With motor running, drizzle in oil until thick paste forms. Stir in garlic. Gently stir 1/4 cup (50 mL) into quinoa stuffing mixture.

Cornish Hens:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Cut neck from each hen; rinse and pat dry inside and out. Spoon 3/4 cup (175 mL) stuffing into cavity of each hen; fold skin over and secure with poultry pin. Place remaining stuffing in baking dish; cover with foil. Tie legs together; tuck wings under back. Starting at neck end, loosen skin from each breast and thigh to form pocket.

Stuff remaining pesto into pockets, patting to spread over breast and thigh. Place, breast side up, with just wings touching, on rack on rimmed baking sheet. Brush with 2 tbsp (25 mL) of the butter; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour in stock and 1 cup (250 mL) water. Roast, basting once, for 30 minutes.

Cut tops from garlic heads; brush with remaining butter. Add to rack. Roast for 45 to 60 minutes or until juices run clear when thigh is pierced and meat thermometer registers 185°F (85°C). Transfer to platter; tent with foil. Let stand for 10 minutes. Bake remaining stuffing. Raise oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) for 10 minutes or until hot.

Meanwhile, pour pan juices into saucepan; skim off fat. Squeeze 2 of the roasted garlic cloves into pan; mash with fork. Boil for 1 to 2 minutes or until reduced to 3/4 cup (175 mL); strain.

To serve, cut hens along each side of backbone; discard backbone. Cut through breastbone into halves. Serve with stuffing, garlic and pan juices.