Raspberry Apricot Glazed Cornish Hens

“This is another tried and true Dutch Oven recipe (Uncle Byron’s) that was one of Grandpa Wayne’s favorites. On a llama trip to Wind Lakes in July of 2009, we met a couple who backpacked into the lake just before dark. They were from New York and were driving through Idaho on Hwy 12. They stopped and looked at a map and decided on a whim to do an over-nite trip into Wind Lakes. They had nothing to eat but candy bars and junk food and were obviously tired and hungry. Grandpa walked to their camp and offered them the last game hen. They didn’t argue. They brought the dutch back later and told us, “That was the best chicken we have ever ate in our whole life!”” – Papa J

Raspberry Apricot Glazed Cornish Hens

  • 5 Cornish game hens (3 hens for a 12" dutch)
  • 1 can apricot nectar
  • 1 cup raspberry vinaigrette
  • 1 cup apricot jam
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • rosemary sprigs
  1. Inject nectar into hens the night before cooking.

  2. Mix vinaigrette and jam together and set aside.

  3. Heat a 16" dutch oven using 22-24 briquettes top and bottom.

  4. Wash game hens and season.

  5. Place 1 or 2 sprigs of rosemary inside each hen.

  6. Place hens in pre-heated dutch oven.

  7. Cover and cook 45 to 60 minutes.

  8. As the hens brown reduce the heat to prevent burning.

  9. Glaze hens with dressing mixture about 20 minutes before they are finished cooking.

  10. Remove the rosemary sprigs and discard.

  11. Glaze hens again before serving.