Food & Cooking Recipes Healthy Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes Maple-Glazed Cornish Game Hens with Carrots 3.0 (45) 2 Reviews By Martha Stewart Test Kitchen Martha Stewart Test Kitchen The recipes developed by our test kitchen team have undergone a rigorous process of development and testing, ensuring that every element is optimal, from ingredient amounts to method and cooking time. This process includes triple-testing recipes to ensure they meet our high standards. The many stellar cooks and food editors who have been part of our team include Sarah Carey, Lucinda Scala Quinn, Jennifer Aaronson, Shira Bocar, Anna Kovel, Greg Lofts, Riley Wofford, Lauren Tyrell, and Lindsay Leopold. Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 16, 2017 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Prep Time: 20 mins Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins Servings: 4 Maple syrup is an easy, delicious glaze for this quick-cooking bird. Instead of hens, you can substitute a whole chicken; just cook it a bit longer. Ingredients ¼ cup pure maple syrup (preferably Grade B) 1 teaspoon ground cumin Coarse salt and ground pepper 2 Cornish game hens (about 1 ¾ pounds each) 3 teaspoons olive oil 1 ½ pounds carrots, cut into 2-inch lengths 1 medium red onion, quartered 4 garlic cloves, peeled 6 sprigs fresh thyme 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice Directions Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Stir together maple syrup and cumin; season with salt and pepper. Using kitchen twine, tie hen legs together, then tuck wing tips underneath. Place hens on a rimmed baking sheet and rub with 1 teaspoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast 10 minutes. Remove sheet from oven and add carrots, onion, garlic, and thyme. Toss vegetables with 2 teaspoons oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast 20 minutes. Brush hens with maple mixture. Continue to roast, brushing twice more, until juices run clear when hens are pierced between breast and leg or an instant-read thermometer inserted in thickest part of a thigh (avoiding bone) registers 165 degrees, about 15 minutes. Transfer hens to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes. Meanwhile, toss vegetables with lemon juice. Carve hens and serve with vegetables. Cook's Notes To give the hens a nice shape and to help them cook evenly, tie the legs with kitchen twine before roasting. Rate it Print