Glazed Roasted Cornish Game Hens with Couscous Stuffing

In a small skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and cook until soft, 5 to 7 min.; set aside. In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a boil; remove from the heat. Stir in the couscous, cover, and let sit off heat for 10 min. Fluff the couscous with a fork. Stir in the cooked onion, pistachios, cranberries, apricots, apples, cinnamon, ginger, parsley, salt, and pepper. Set-aside to cool completely.

Heat the oven to 425°F. Season the cavity of each hen with salt and pepper. Make sure the stuffing is thoroughly cool and-pack each hen loosely with about 1/2 cup of stuffing. With kitchen twine, tie each hen’s legs together. Tuck the wings underneath. Arrange the-hens breast side up on a wire rack set in a shallow-roasting pan (or two) filled with 1/4-inch water (this will prevent the glaze drippings from smoking).

Brush the 2 Tbs. melted butter over the hens; season with salt and pepper. Roast the hens for 20 min. Meanwhile, make the glaze, following the instructions at right. Brush the hens generously with the glaze and continue to roast, basting with more glaze every 10 min., until the juices run clear when you prick the thickest part of the thigh and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 170°F, another 30 to 35 min. Transfer the hens to a platter, tent with foil, and let stand for 10 min. before serving.