Orange-Glazed Rock Cornish Game Hens

     When I was growing up having Rock Cornish Game Hens for dinner was really a big deal, my mother saved them for special occasions and even now when I make them they bring back memories of birthday celebrations and holiday gatherings.  Easy to make yet there is something so elegant about a tiny bird sitting on your dinner plate, it makes you feel like royalty.  I found this excellent recipe on the Tyson web site and will definitely be filing it away to make again in the future. 
     I split two whole hens in half and placed them on a thickly sliced onion in the bottom of my 10 inch deep oven.  You can also leave the hens whole, elevate them on a rack or even place them right into your oven.  There's really no way you can foul up this recipe (no pun intended).  I started with 10 coals around the base of the oven and 20 on the lid.  After 45 minutes, I brushed them with the remaining glaze, replaced the top coals with 18 fresh ones because it was a cold and blustery day and in 30 minutes they were brown and completely cooked through.  The sweet orange and honey glaze is a wonderful combination and something you may want to try on chicken as well. 

Orange-Glazed Cornish Game Hens
2-4 Cornish Hens without giblets, fresh or thawed
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup honey

     Lightly oil or spray dutch oven.
     Cut each hen in half down backbone if desired.
     Sprinkle hens with salt and pepper; place in prepared oven.
     Combine orange juice concentrate, ketchup and honey.
     Spoon or brush on hens until completely covered.
     Roast at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.
     Baste hens with remaining glaze; replace top coals if necessary.
     Bake for 30 minutes more or until hens are done (internal temp of 180 degrees F).
     Allow hens to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Place hens in oven and brush completely with glaze

Roast at 375 degrees for 45 minutes then baste with
remaining glaze

Roast for another 30 minutes or until completely done

The hens were amazingly juicy and sweet