ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS MARINATED IN HONEY AND MUSTARD

Roasted Cornish Game Hens Marinated in Honey and Mustard image

Provided by Food Network

Yield 2 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup grainy mustard
2 cloves garlic, chopped
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 Cornish game hens
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lemon

Steps:

Mix the honey, mustard, garlic, 3 tablespoons oil, thyme and cinnamon together in a bowl and set aside. Remove the wing tips from the hens. Roll the hens in the marinade and marinate overnight.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Season the birds inside and out with salt and pepper. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze over each bird. Put a used lemon half in the cavity of each bird. Truss the birds.
Set a rack in a roasting pan and brush the rack with several tablespoons vegetable oil. Place the birds, breast side down on the oiled rack. Roast for 30 minutes. Turn the birds breast side up, reduce the heat to 350 degrees and roast an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until the hens are cooked through and the skin is brown. Allow the hens to rest 10 minutes before serving.