Herbed Cornish Hen for Two, a Special Holiday Dinner

Planning a special New Year’s holiday dinner for just the two of you? Serve Herbed Cornish Hens for Two. The birds are seasoned with marjoram and basted with unsalted butter and apricot preserves.

HERBED CORNISH HENS FOR TWO

2 (1- to 1 1/2-pound) Cornish game hens

6 tablespoons unsalted butter or margarine, softened

1/4 teaspoon marjoram leaves

1/3 cup apricot preserves

Remove giblets, then rinse birds and pat dry with paper towels. In 1-quart saucepan stir together butter and marjoram. Carefully loosen skin over breast, then rub 1 tablespoon butter mixture directly on breast meat under skin. Repeat for other hen.

Tuck wings under birds and tie legs together on each hen with string. Place in 11x7-inch baking dish, breast sides up. Brush some of remaining butter mixture on birds. Cover with foil and bake 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.

Add preserves to remaining melted butter mixture and heat until preserves melt. Uncover during last 15 minutes of baking and brush lightly with 2 tablespoons sauce. Continue baking until golden. Serve with remaining sauce. Makes 2 servings.