ROASTED CORNISH HENS WITH GRAPES

Roasted Cornish Hens with Grapes image

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

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1 1/2 pounds mixed red and green seedless grapes
8 shallots, root end intact, halved if large
6 sprigs thyme, plus additional leaves for hens
2 tablespoons olive oil
Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
4 Cornish game hens (1 to 1 1/4 pounds each)

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 450°F. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the grapes and shallots with the thyme sprigs, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
Tie the legs with kitchen twine; nestle the hens among the grapes on the baking sheet, breast side up. Season the hens generously with salt and pepper; sprinkle with thyme leaves.
Roast, basting the hens occasionally with the pan juices, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in thickest part of the leg (avoiding the bone) registers 160°F, 30 to 35 minutes.