Cornbread-Stuffed Cornish Game Hens with Corn Maque Choux

Ingredients for Cornbread-Stuffed Cornish Game Hens with Corn Maque Choux

• 3 tablespoons butter

• 230g chopped onion

• 50g chopped celery

• 150g diced peeled cored Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples

• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage

• 1/2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt

• 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

• 950ml 1/2-inch cubes purchased cornbread or corn muffins (about 300g )

• 1 large egg, beaten to blend

• 60g (packed) coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 60g )

• 90ml (about) fresh apple cider or fresh apple juice

• 4 1 1/4- to 675g Cornish game hens, rinsed, patted dry

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage

• 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 4 bacon slices, each halved crosswise

• Corn Maque Choux

How to make Cornbread-Stuffed Cornish Game Hens with Corn Maque Choux

Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery; sauté until beginning to colour, about 5 minutes. Add apples; sauté until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Mix in sage, 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoons pepper; transfer to large bowl. Let stand until almost cool, about 10 minutes.

Mix cornbread into vegetables. Add egg and toss to blend. Mix in cheese, then enough apple cider by tablespoonfuls to form stuffing that is moist but not wet.

Sprinkle cavity of each hen lightly with salt and pepper. Pack 240ml stuffing into each (place any leftover stuffing into buttered ramekins and cover with foil). Skewer cavities closed with toothpicks or turkey lacers. Tuck wing tips under; tie legs together to hold shape. Mix sage, coarse salt, and pepper in small bowl; sprinkle over hens.

Preheat oven to 204°C. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place 2 hens in skillet. Sauté until brown, turning often with wooden spoons (to prevent tearing skin), about 10 minutes. Transfer to rimmed baking sheet, breast side up. Repeat with remaining hens. Drape 2 bacon strip halves over breast of each hen. Using kitchen string, tie bacon strips in place. (Place any ramekins of stuffing on baking sheet with hens.)

Place hens (and extra stuffing) in oven. Roast hens until cooked through and juices run clear when thigh is pierced, about 45 minutes. (Roast stuffing 30 minutes.) Cut strings off hens. Transfer hens to plates. Spoon maque choux around hens and serve with extra stuffing.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.