Rice & barley stuffing for cornish hens

4 Henfuls :)

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
½cupRice
2tablespoonsButter
cupWater (or more)
2Chicken broth cubes
cupBarley
8ouncesCranberries, fresh; OR... Canned cranberry sauce with gel rinsed off
Sugar if using fresh cranberries
2teaspoonsBitter orange marmalade (heaping measure), OR... half marmalade -and- half diced orange peel
2tablespoonsOrange juice
cupRaisins
2teaspoonsRubbed sage
2teaspoonsTarragon
½teaspoonSweet marjoram
1teaspoonCrushed rosemary
Salt and pepper; to taste

Directions

Brown the rice in the butter, then add 1-¼ to 1-½ cups water and chicken cube; cook until soft.

Cook barley in 1 cup water and second chicken cube for 45 minutes, or until tender. If using fresh cranberries, cook briefly with a little sugar to soften somewhat and create a little juice.

Mix the remaining ingredients with the cooked rice and barley. Stuff the Cornish hens and cook according to instructions on package. I like to brush the stuffed birds with melted butter and sprinkle with salt, pepper, crushed basil, and tarragon.

The stuffing may be frozen for future use.

VARIATION: Substitute sliced mushrooms for the raisins.

* Source: Elke Amenda-Spirakis, Warwick, New York * The Herb Companion, August/September 1993 * Typed for you by Karen Mintzias