Roast Cornish Hens with Brandied Cherries

Cornish hens, which are actually nothing more than small chickens, are not only tasty (the breast meat stays moist with roasting at high heat, and the dark meat is less fatty than that of normal-sized chickens); They’re also incredibly convenient. Usually available frozen, they’re quick to thaw: Put them, still in their packaging, in a bowl of cold water set in the sink and let cold water from the faucet just barely drip into the bowl to keep the water moving; small ones should be thawed an