Cornish Game Hens With Cherry-Rice Stuffing - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup sliced celery
2 shallots, finely chopped
1 cup cooked rice
8 ounces cherries, pitted
2 tablespoons chopped dried apricots
2 teaspoons chopped parsley
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 (1 1/2 lb) Cornish hens
1/3 cup apricot jam

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425\u00b0F In skillet melt 2 tbsp butter over med heat.
Add celery and shallots; cook, stirring often, until tender, about 4 minute Remove from heat; stir in rice, cherries, apricots, parsley, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp pepper.
Rub hens with remaining butter; sprinkle with remaining salt and pepper.
Fill cavities with stuffing.
Place on rack in roasting pan.
Roast 15 minute Reduce oven temp to 350F roast 45 minute.
Stir 1 tbsp water into jam; brush over hens.
Roast until meat thermometer inserted into thigh registers 180F, about 15 minute.