Escape from New York: Isaac Hayes' "Gonna Get Some" Cornish Game Hens w/Wild Rice Stuffing

from Cooking with Heart & Soul, by Isaac Hayes

Serves 4

4 Rock Cornish Game Hens

2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped

1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder

1 teaspoon ground allspice

1 teaspoon lemon pepper

salt and pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons soy sauce

4 1/2 cups water

1 1/2 cups wild rice. rinsed several times

1/2 cup raisins

1 tablespoon tarragon

1 teaspoon five-spice powder

1 teaspoon fresh basil, chopped

1 teaspoon celery seed

1/2 cup pineapple chunks in light syrup (I cut chunks in 1/2)

1 teaspoon butter

1 can mandarin oranges, canned, with syrup (11-ounce)

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/3 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat Over to 350*. Wash and dry hens.

In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon sage, 1/8 teaspoon curry powder, allspice, lemon pepper, salt and pepper. Gently pull the skin away from the breast of each hen, being careful not to tear the skin. Rub the spice mixture under the skin. Gently replace the skin. Rub the soy sauce over the hens.

Please the hens in a roasting pan just large enough to hold them. Add 1/2 cup water to the pan. Cover and roast for 30 to 45 minutes. (NOTE: I found 45 minutes to 1 hour, you want internal temperature of chicken to be 180*F, when pricked juices should run clear.)

In a medium saucepan, heat 4 cups water to boiling. Add the wild rice and raisins. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon sage, the remaining 1 teaspoon curry, tarragon, five-spice powder, basil and celery seed. Cook for 45 minutes. Just before the rice is done, and the pineapple and butter. Cover and set aside.

In another saucepan, combine the mandarin oranges with syrup, the maple syrup, orange zest, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Heat slowly to boiling. Add 1 tablespoon of the sauce to the cooked rice. Set aside.

When the hens are done, stuff them with the rice mixture and return them to the pan. Brush with some of the orange sauce and bake until glaze browns.

Serve with the remaining orange sauce on the side.

Original Post Found here: http://chef-du-cinema.blogspot.com/2011/09/tv-bites-escape-from-new-york.html