Mushroom-Stuffed Cornish Hens

Name: Mushroom-Stuffed Cornish Hens
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H10M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT1H0M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H20M0.000S
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons minced shallots; 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic; 10 ounces button mushrooms, wiped clean, stemmed, and finely chopped; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper; 2 1/2 tablespoons dry white wine; 4 Cornish hens, about 1 1/4 pounds each; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 8 strips bacon, blanched; 4 sprigs thyme, for garnish

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Level: Intermediate
Total: 1 hr 20 min

Prep: 10 min
Inactive: 10 min
Cook: 1 hr

Yield: 4 servings

Level: Intermediate
Total: 1 hr 20 min

Prep: 10 min
Inactive: 10 min
Cook: 1 hr

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 tablespoons minced shallots

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

10 ounces button mushrooms, wiped clean, stemmed, and finely chopped

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

2 1/2 tablespoons dry white wine

4 Cornish hens, about 1 1/4 pounds each

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

8 strips bacon, blanched

4 sprigs thyme, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the mushrooms, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and white pepper, reduce the heat to medium, and cook, stirring, until all the liquid has evaporated and the mushrooms begin to caramelize, about 12 minutes. Add the wine and cook, stirring to deglaze the pan, until all the liquid has evaporated. Remove from the heat and let cool before using.
With your fingers, gently lift and loosen the skin from the hens' breasts to make a pocket. Spread about 2 tablespoons of the mushroom duxelle over each breast and pull the skin back into place. Season the hens, inside and out, with the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and the black pepper. Wrap each hen with 2 strips of bacon, crossing over the breast to cover.
Place the hens breast side up in a roasting pan and roast until the juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 180 degrees F, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve.