Cornish Game Hens with Raspberry Red Wine Sauce

INGREDIENTS

1-1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pound Cornish game hen, halved
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 shallots, chopped
2 cups chicken broth
2/3 cup dry red wine
2/3 cup frozen raspberries
2 teaspoons (or more) sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 500°F. Sprinkle hen halves with thyme, salt and pepper. Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add hen halves, skin side down, and cook until brown, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer hen halves to baking sheet (do not clean skillet). Roast until juices run clear when thigh is pierced, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from skillet. Add shallots and saute over medium heat until soft, about 3 minutes. Add broth, wine, raspberries, 2 teaspoons sugar and allspice. Boil until sauce thickens enough to coat spoon, scraping up browned bits and crushing raspberries, about 12 minutes. Strain wine sauce into small bowl. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper; add more sugar, if desired. Serve hen halves with sauce.

Originally published in The Wine Cellar January 2017.

Red Wine Cranberry Sauce

INGREDIENTS

2/3 cup Sugar
3/4 cup Dry red wine
1/2 Cinnamon stick (1 1/2 inches)
1 Package Fresh cranberries (about 12 oz.)
1/2 Tbsp Tangerine, clementine or orange zest, or more to taste

DIRECTIONS

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, red wine and cinnamon stick; bring to a slow boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the wine is reduced slightly. Add the cranberries and zest. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until the cranberries are soft and the sauce has thickened. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Amazing with turkey!

Originally published in The Wine Cellar, October 2016.