Cornish Hens Braised in the Style of Osso Buco

Preparation info
  • Makes

    4

    Servings
    • Difficulty

      Medium

Appears in
Lighter, Quicker, Better: Cooking for the Way We Eat Today

By Richard Sax and Marie Simmons

Published 2000

  • About

The flavorings of osso buco, the Milanese dish of veal shanks braised in tomatoes, wine, broth, vegetables, and herbs, are used to cook Cornish hens. Prepared this way, half a Cornish hen will be enough for each person, along with polenta, potatoes, rice, or a small pasta. Moisten everything with the aromatic braising liquid.

Ingredients

  • 2 Cornish hens, split in half, well trimmed with wing tips and tails discarded, rinsed and patted dry (about pounds each)
  • Salt and Freshly ground black pe

Method

  1. Select a large wide Dutch oven or other stovetop-to-oven pot, preferably nonstick. Season the hens with salt and pepper. Brown the hens on both sides over medium heat, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the hens to a platter and wipe the fat from the pot with paper towels.
  2. Heat the oven to 350°F.
  3. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic to the pan. C