Cornish Hens With Brown Rice Stuffing - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 c. uncooked brown rice
2 1/2 c. chicken stock
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped (I use green if I don't have yellow)
1/2 c. dried apricots, chopped (I also used dried cranberries - great)
8 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1/2 c. toasted almonds, slivered or sliced or chopped
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. thyme
1/4 tsp. marjoram
6 Cornish hens
salt and pepper to taste
6 slices bacon

Preparation

Bring chicken stock to a boil; add rice and cover.
Reduce heat and cook for 40 minutes or until stock is absorbed.
Set aside.
Preheat oven to 325\u00b0.
Saute onion, pepper and apricots in butter.
Mix with cooked rice, almonds, salt and spices.
Salt and pepper hens, inside and out.
Stuff with rice mixture and place one bacon slice on top of each hen.
Bake, uncovered, at 325\u00b0 for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, basting often with pan drippings.
If not tender after 1 1/2 hours, cover and steam for final 30 minutes.