Thanksgiving Menu Ideas: Rock Cornish Hens with Wild Rice

Rock Cornish Hens (recipes100.com, 2015)

If you're looking for an alternative to turkey for your Thanksgiving Day meal, then look no further. I tried this recipe last Thanksgiving, and it was a big hit with everyone, even the youngest grandchild, who was nine at the time, and you know what picky eaters little children can be.

As you'll notice, the recipe calls for two hens, which will feed four people, but if you intend to feed more than four, you will obviously need to adjust the recipe accordingly. Last Thanksgiving I prepared six hens, but the dish was such a big hit that there wasn't anything left over for post-Thanksgiving Day sandwiches, which needless to say was quite disappointing. Then again, the meal was a rousing success, so I guess I shouldn't complain. Trust me, though, when I prepare the dish again, I will use at least eight hens, maybe more. 

Recipe for Rock Cornish Hen with Mandarin-Orange Wild Rice 

Ingredients:

• 2 Rock Cornish hens, split
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening 
• 2 tablespoons herbal-blend seasoning 
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine 
• 1/4 cup minced onion 
• 1 6-ounce can sliced mushrooms 
• 1 5-ounce can water chestnuts, sliced 
• 1/2 cup white wine 
• 1 bouillon cube 
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

Ingredients for  Mandarin-Orange Rice:

• 1/2 pound butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup chopped celery 
• 1 cup mandarin oranges 
• 1 cup cooked wild rice

Preparation:

1. Mix shortening and herbal-blend seasoning. 
2. Brush hens with the mixture. 
3. Broil hens for 10 minutes on each side. 
4. Melt butter or margarine in saucepan, add onion, and simmer until tender (about 3 minutes) 
5. Drain mushrooms and chestnuts, reserving liquid. 
6. Add wine and water to drained liquid. 
7. Pour wine and water mixture into saucepan and bring to a boil. 
8. Stir in bouillon cube and cornstarch that has been mixed with 1/4 cup water. 
9. Cook until sauce is transparent. 
10. Add chestnuts and mushrooms. 
11. Place hens in skillet or large electric skillet. 
12. Pour sauce over hens. 
13. Simmer until tender and thoroughly cooked.

Mandarin-Orange Rice Preparation:

1. Melt butter or margarine in skillet. 
2. Add chopped celery and sauté. 
3. Add drained orange slices. 
4. Combine with cooked rice. 
5. Serve with hens. 

Image Source: Google Images, 2015, www.recipes100.com