Cornish hens with mushroom sausage stuffing

My husband and I are big fans of roasted cornish hens. They are easy to make and come out so juicy. It makes a great presentation for a dinner party or even a meal for 2. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed! 

You will need:

• 1 cornish hen PER PERSON. In this recipe I had 2. 

• 1 stick of salted butter (softened)

• seasoned salt

• pepper

• meat thermometer 

• 2 cups chicken stock

For the stuffing:

• 2 cups of white, long grain rice

• 1 onion, diced

• 5 cloves of garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons of butter

• 3 links of sweet italian sausage, remove the meat from the casing

• 1 package of chopped baby Bella mushrooms

• 1 package of chopped cremini mushrooms

• 1/2 cup white wine

• 3 cups chicken stock

• 1/4 tablespoon turmeric 

• salt and pepper

• 3 tablespoons chopped parsley

Start by preheating the oven to 450. 

Begin the stuffing by heating the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. 

Add the onion and sausage. 

Cook for 5 minutes and then add the garlic 

Add the mushrooms and sauté for about 6-7 minutes

Then add the rice 

Stir the rice in and then add the wine and chicken stock 

Let all the liquid reduce. This should take about 10 minutes. Then add the turmeric, salt and pepper

Add the parsley, mix and set aside to cool 

Now lets get those chicks ready! 

Unwrap, take out the package from the cavity and rinse with cool water. Pat dry with paper towels. 

Once dry, use a half of stick of butter (softened) on each bird and rub every inch with butter. Season the whole bird with seasoned salt and pepper. Even the inside!!!  

Then stuff with the stuffing. 

If the stuffing is falling out, you can close the skin with toothpicks. 

Place on a roasting rack and stick the meat thermometer into the breast of the bird. Fill the bottom of the pan with 2 cups chicken stock. 

Once in the oven, IMMEDIATELY decrease the temperate to 350 and roast for approximately 1 hour OR until the thermometer reaches 180 degrees. Remember to baste the birds about every 15-20 minutes. 

Remove from oven, let sit for 10 minutes and serve! Enjoy!