Elegant Cornish Hens

Ingredients

• {'name': 'Sliced green onions', 'quantity': 0.5, 'unit': 'cup'}
• {'name': 'Minced celery', 'quantity': 0.25, 'unit': 'cup'}
• {'name': 'Butter or margarine, melted', 'quantity': 2.0, 'unit': 'tablespoon'}
• {'name': 'Lemon juice', 'quantity': 1.0, 'unit': 'tablespoon'}
• {'name': 'Long-grain and wild rice mix (6 oz pkg)', 'quantity': 1.0, 'unit': 'package'}
• {'name': 'Chicken broth', 'quantity': 1.5, 'unit': 'cup'}
• {'name': 'Apple juice', 'quantity': 0.5, 'unit': 'cup'}
• {'name': 'Unpeeled, finely chopped Red Delicious apple', 'quantity': 0.5, 'unit': 'cup'}
• {'name': 'Chopped pecans, toasted', 'quantity': 0.25, 'unit': 'cup'}
• {'name': 'Minced fresh parsley', 'quantity': 2.0, 'unit': 'tablespoon'}
• {'name': 'Cornish hens', 'quantity': 6.0, 'unit': 'unit'}
• {'name': 'Salt and pepper', 'quantity': None, 'unit': None}
• {'name': 'Apple jelly', 'quantity': 0.25, 'unit': 'cup'}
• {'name': 'Butter or margarine', 'quantity': 2.0, 'unit': 'tablespoon'}
• {'name': 'Applejack or other apple-flavored brandy', 'quantity': 2.0, 'unit': 'tablespoon'}
• {'name': 'Red Delicious apple (optional)', 'quantity': 1.0, 'unit': 'unit'}
• {'name': 'Granny Smith apple (optional)', 'quantity': 1.0, 'unit': 'unit'}
• {'name': 'Lemon juice (optional)', 'quantity': None, 'unit': None}
• {'name': 'Fresh parsley sprigs (optional)', 'quantity': None, 'unit': None}

Instructions

1. Sauté green onions and celery in 2 tablespoons melted butter and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a medium saucepan until vegetables are tender.
2. Add rice mix, chicken broth, and apple juice; stir.
3. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 25 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
4. Remove from heat.
5. Stir in chopped apple, roasted pecans, and minced fresh parsley.
6. Remove giblets from hens and reserve for other uses.
7. Rinse hens with cold water and pat dry.
8. Sprinkle cavities of hens with salt and pepper.
9. Lift wing tips up and over back of hens and tuck wing tips under hens.
10. Stuff hens lightly with rice mixture and close cavities.
11. Secure cavities with wooden picks and tie leg ends together with string.
12. Combine apple jelly, 2 tablespoons butter, and apple-flavored brandy in a small saucepan; cook over low heat, stirring often, until jelly and butter melt.
13. Place hens, breast side up, on a greased rack in a shallow roasting pan.
14. Brush hens with jelly mixture.
15. Bake at 350°F for 1 1/2 hours or until juices run clear when thigh is pierced with a fork, basting frequently with any remaining jelly mixture.
16. If desired, quarter apples lengthwise and remove and discard cores.
17. Cut each apple quarter into 4 wedge-shaped slices and separate apple slices to form a winged design.
18. Brush cut surfaces of apples with lemon juice.
19. Garnish hens with decorative apples and fresh parsley sprigs, if desired.