Cornish Game Hens Bourguignonne

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== Descripton ==
This one is a wonderful alternative to turkey or a larger meal can be prepared ahead.
== Ingredients ==
* 1 bird per person plus one extra for the plate
* ¼ lb lean bacon, diced
* 2 small pearl onions per person
* ½ lb mushrooms, sliced
* chicken stock
* red wine
* 1 medium onion, sliced
* 1 medium carrot, sliced
* 1 large stalk celery, sliced
* 1 tbsp butter
* 2 cloves cloves garlic, chopped
* salt and pepper
=== Bouquet garni ===
* 1 sprig thyme
* 2 sprigs parsley (tie together)
* 1 bay leaf
* ⅓ cup cognac (optional)
== Directions ==
# Wash, dry, salt and pepper hens and truss.
# Heat a large heavy pan (e.g. Dutch oven bottom), add diced bacon, cook until crisp.
# Remove bacon, add garlic and hens - brown thoroughly.
# Remove garlic and hens (keep hens warm).
# Add sliced vegetables and garni bouquet.
# Place hens on top of vegetables. Half cover with stock and then wine to almost cover.
# Bring to a boil and place in the oven.
# Bake at 350°F for an hour.
# While the casserole is in the oven, peel white onions and blanch in hot water (or can use canned ones).
# Sauté mushrooms.
# When birds are tender, remove from pan and, if desired, flame with cognac.
# Strain juices into saucepan.
# Purée vegetables and add to juices.
# Over high heat, reduce to ½ the original volume.
# Thicken sauce with a mixture of flour and butter if needed.
# Check and correct seasoning.
# Add mushrooms and onions.
# Pour sauce over birds, cover and heat at least 15 minutes or serve birds and sauce separately. You can stop and here and keep all overnight in the refrigerator.
# The next day, paint inside and outside of the birds with the sauce.
# Bake at 350°F for 45 – 60 minutes.
# There will be no need to thicken sauce.
# Add mushrooms and onions 15 minutes prior to the end of cooking.
Category:Bacon Recipes
Category:Chicken stock and broth Recipes
Category:Christmas Main Dishes
Category:Christmas Poultry
Category:Cognac Recipes
Category:Cornish hen Recipes
Category:Mushroom Recipes
Category:Pearl onion Recipes
Category:Red wine Recipes