Cornish Hens Stuffed with Couscous, Dates and Parsley

An alternative Thanksgiving dinner: Roast Cornish Hens

What do you serve on Thanksgiving, or the upcoming holidays when you have family members who are not fond of turkey? Yes they are out there, really! My suggestion is to put an ethnic touch to your event and serve Cornish hens stuffed with cous cous, dates and parsley.

That's what I am doing! Come to think of it, Cornish hens are not that far out. I mean, we're still eating a bird, right? Nothing like the year we had pork loin!

I really don't know when my family's anti-turkey sentiments began.

One day all was well with the traditional bird, the next..., not so well. Change is inevitable in life. Rather than fret, we decided to embrace a new tradition, one of diversity, and openness to less traditional fare. But, like I always say, it's really about getting together and not about having all the "right" foods. It's about sharing, and being open, that's what counts. That's how this cornish hens recipe was born. 

This brings me to something I want to share with all of you.

Every year my husband and I invite some of the international students from the university where I work. They always bring a dish to share, often something from their country. Their gesture adds a note of culinary interest to our gathering. I wonder what they think about us not making a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Oh well, variety is the spice of life, right?

Finally, don't forget to share this great recipe for Cornish hens stuffed with cous cous, dates and parsley with your friends and family.

You can enjoy your Cornish Hens Stuffed with Dates and Parsley with a tangy Arugula Salad with Pomegranate Dressing and Lemon Tartlets for dessert. 

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Cornish Hens Stuffed with Dates and Parsley

You will love the simple and delicious dish! Tender and delicious cornish hens stuffed with couscous, dates, onions and parsley. So easy to make, roast right in your oven!

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Main dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked chicken, cornish hen recipe, couscous stuffing, stuffed chicken

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 669kcal

Author: Analida Braeger

Ingredients

• 3 Cornish hens
• 1 cup couscous
• 1 cups chicken stock
• ½ cup water
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• ⅓ cup onion diced
• 2 garlic minced
• ½ dates chopped
• 4 Tbsp curly parsley finely chopped
• ¼ cup almonds slivered
• 1 ½ Tbsp zatar

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400'F.
• Bring chicken stock and water to a boil in a saucepan. Add couscous and butter. Stir a few times. Cover, and cook for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and allow it to sit for about 5-10 minutes. Uncover and fluff. Transfer to a bowl and allow it to cool.
• Lightly toast almonds in your toaster oven.
• In a skillet heat olive oil on medium, and saute onions and garlic until translucent then add to the couscous along with dates, parsley, and almonds.
• Place filling into the cavity of each Cornish hen.
• Tie the legs together with kitchen twine, and tuck the wings under the body of the bird.
• Rub with olive oil, and sprinkle with zatar.
• Half way through the cooking process, bring out of the oven, brush again with olive oil and place back in.
• Roast for about 45-55 minutes or until juices run clear. If desired broil for the last 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 669kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 238mg | Sodium: 234mg | Potassium: 689mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 575IU | Vitamin C: 5.4mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 2.5mg