Catalan-Style Braised Cornish Hens with Stuffed Cabbage Purses

There's an old Mediterranean saying: “For the one who likes working, there's always something to do” . . . which brings me to this wonderful, slow Catalan specialty. I know it's a ridiculously long recipe, but it isn't hard. While it is traditionally made with partridges, I've found it works well with our readily available Cornish game hens.

The hens are marinated, simmered with aromatic vegetables, smothered with leaves of cabbage, then slowly cooked until everything is tender. The