Cornish Game Hens With Kumquats And Orange Liqueur Sauce

Total Time: 3 hrs Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 2 large rock cornish game hens
• chicken giblets, from rock cornish game hen (optional)
• 50 kumquats (about)
• 1 bunch fresh tarragon
• 6 large garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons sifted flour
• 2 tablespoons orange liqueur
• 1 (10 ounce) can chicken broth
• 1/2 cup water

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 375 degree fahrenheit.
• 2 remove tarragon leaves from the stems; place aside. wash and dry kumquats; slice in half and remove all seeds; place aside. crush, dice, or press the garlic cloves; place aside. rinse game hens with cold water and pat dry.
• 3 separate the skin from the game hen’s breast. push in the tarragon leaves and crushed garlic under the skin; the skin protects the leaves and garlic from burning. place tarragon stems inside the hen’s cavity, along with about 35-40 seeded kumquats.
• 4 place game hens on a raised rack in a roasting pan. add 1/2 cup of water to the bottom of the pan to prevent the juices from burning. cook for about one and ½ hours at 375 degrees fahrenheit. baste frequently and replenish the water in the pan as needed.
• 5 optional: place giblets in a saucepan and cover with water. cook over medium heat until done, about 1 hour. remove and allow to cool. chop and set aside.
• 6 coarsely chop the remaining 10 to 15 kumquats. in a sauce pan, combine the orange juice, sugar, and kumquats. bring to a slow boil and reduce heat to a low simmer. stir frequently and cook until done, about 30 to 45 minutes. set aside.
• 7 remove the game hens from the oven after 90 minutes or when golden brown and done. transfer the game hens to a serving platter. remove and discard the tarragon stems. reserve the cooked kumquats and decoratively place around the hens.
• 8 deglaze the roasting pan and transfer the drippings to a saucepan. carefully add the flour to make a roué. add chicken broth and cook over medium heat until the gravy is thickened, about 5 to 10 minutes. add giblets (optional).
• 9 combine the orange liqueur with orange juice/kumquat sauce and add to gravy. simmer another 5 minutes. transfer to gravy boat.
• 10 carve game hens and serve each portion with gravy and kumquats.