Irene’s Cornish Hens with Tarragon and Calvados
In France, Barbara Bennett was treated to a home-cooked meal by her Parisian friend Irene. The main course was Cornish hens in a creamy tarragon sauce. It's a dish Bennett has duplicated many times since--with fond memories.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
With poultry shears or a knife, cut each hen in half lengthwise through breastbone and backbone. Rinse and pat dry. Reserve giblets for other uses.
Step 2
2
Set halves, skin side up, in a 9- by 13-inch pan. Brush skin with melted butter, then sprinkle with the shallots.
Step 3
3
Bake in a 425° oven until meat at thigh bone is no longer pink (cut to test), about 40 minutes (35 minutes in a convection oven). Transfer hens to a platter; keep warm.
Step 4
4
Spoon off and discard fat from pan drippings. Add calvados, broth, and tarragon to drippings. Set pan over medium-high heat and stir to scrape brown particles free.
Step 5
5
Whisk in crème fraîche. Turn heat to high and boil until mixture is reduced to 3/4 cup, 5 to 8 minutes. Pour sauce into a bowl. Garnish hens with tarragon sprigs and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with sauce.
Ingredients
2 Cornish hens (1 3/4 to 2 lb. each)
1 to 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine
1/3 cup chopped shallots
1/2 cup calvados or dry white wine
1/3 cup fat-skimmed chicken broth
1/4 cup chopped fresh tarragon or 1 tablespoon dried tarragon
3/4 cup crème fraîche or whipping cream
Tarragon or parsley sprigs
Salt and white pepper
Directions
Step 1
1
With poultry shears or a knife, cut each hen in half lengthwise through breastbone and backbone. Rinse and pat dry. Reserve giblets for other uses.
Step 2
2
Set halves, skin side up, in a 9- by 13-inch pan. Brush skin with melted butter, then sprinkle with the shallots.
Step 3
3
Bake in a 425° oven until meat at thigh bone is no longer pink (cut to test), about 40 minutes (35 minutes in a convection oven). Transfer hens to a platter; keep warm.
Step 4
4
Spoon off and discard fat from pan drippings. Add calvados, broth, and tarragon to drippings. Set pan over medium-high heat and stir to scrape brown particles free.
Step 5
5
Whisk in crème fraîche. Turn heat to high and boil until mixture is reduced to 3/4 cup, 5 to 8 minutes. Pour sauce into a bowl. Garnish hens with tarragon sprigs and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with sauce.
