These Honey-Laquered Game Hens are a show-stopping centerpiece that balances sweet and savory flavors beautifully. The tender meat is infused with an aromatic marinade of garlic, fresh ginger, soy sauce, and light honey, creating a glossy, caramelized crust during roasting. Perfect for intimate dinners or special occasions, these small birds cook evenly and quickly. The addition of fresh orange juice and zest brightens the rich profile, while peanut oil adds depth. Serve them whole for a dramatic presentation or split for individual portions. This dish brings a refined yet home-style comfort to your table, pairing wonderfully with steamed vegetables or rice pilaf to soak up the delicious pan juices.
Honey-Laquered Game Hens
Description
These Honey-Laquered Game Hens are a show-stopping centerpiece that balances sweet and savory flavors beautifully. The tender meat is infused with an aromatic marinade of garlic, fresh ginger, soy sauce, and light honey, creating a glossy, caramelized crust during roasting. Perfect for intimate dinners or special occasions, these small birds cook evenly and quickly. The addition of fresh orange juice and zest brightens the rich profile, while peanut oil adds depth. Serve them whole for a dramatic presentation or split for individual portions. This dish brings a refined yet home-style comfort to your table, pairing wonderfully with steamed vegetables or rice pilaf to soak up the delicious pan juices.Ingredients
Directions
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Rinse game hens thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
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Trim off wing tips, necks, and any excess fat from the neck cavities.
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Place garlic and ginger in the bowl of a food processor; process until nearly smooth.
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In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, peanut oil, orange juice, and orange zest.
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Add the reserved garlic and ginger mixture to the bowl and stir to combine.
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Place game hens in a large bowl or plastic bag and pour the marinade over them, coating well.
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Let rest at room temperature for 4 hours, or refrigerate overnight, turning the hens in the marinade 3 or 4 times.
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Preheat oven to 350&# 194;°F (175ðC).
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Place game hens in a shallow roasting pan, arranging them to fit comfortably.
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Pour the remaining marinade over the hens.
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Bake for 1 hour, or until cooked through, basting every 15 minutes with the pan juices.
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Remove hens to a serving platter and tent with foil to keep warm.
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Pour the cooking juices from the roasting pan into a small, heavy saucepan.
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Bring the juices to a boil over high heat and cook for 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
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Pour the thickened sauce over the hens just before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 129.0kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 2.1g4%
- Saturated Fat 0.3g2%
- Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
- Sodium 22.5mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 28.5g10%
- Dietary Fiber 3.6g15%
- Sugars 4.8g
- Protein 5.1g11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
These birds can be served whole for a dramatic presentation or, for smaller portions, split in half. If splitting, ensure you remove the backbones and wing tips before preparing the marinade.
For an ideal meal without much effort, serve with sesame noodles, rice pilaf, or steamed fresh snow peas to complement the savory glaze.
Ensure the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165ðF (74ðC) before serving.
