Orange Balsamic Cornish Hens

Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 6 rock cornish game hens, rinsed and patted dry
• coarse salt
• coarse black pepper
• 1 cup orange juice concentrate, thawed
• 1 cup aged balsamic vinegar
• 3 -4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 7 -8 stems fresh rosemary, leaves chopped

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 425°.
• 2 line 2 rimmed baking sheets with foil; set a baking rack in each pan.
• 3 using poultry shears or a sharp chef's knife, cut along both sides of each hen's backbone and discard.
• 4 open the birds up and turn skin side up, pressing lightly on the breastbones to flatten them a bit.
• 5 arrange 3 hens on each baking rack, skin side up, and season liberally with salt and pepper.
• 6 mix the orange juice concentrate, balsamic vinegar, and oil together; pour evenly over the hens, and sprinkle with rosemary.
• 7 roast hens for 15 minutes at 425°, then decrease heat to 375° and roast for 30 minutes more, or until the juices run clear (i'd check doneness with an instant read thermometer).
• 8 let the hens rest for 5 minutes before serving.