Cornish Hens With Walnuts

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

2. Step 2

   Using the fingers, separate the skin from the breast meat to make a cavity for stuffing.

3. Step 3

   Combine the walnuts, butter, mustard and Cognac in the container of a food processor or electric blender. Blend to make a paste. Fill the cavities with equal portions of the mixture. Tie up the birds or truss them neatly with string. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and rub them all over with oil.

4. Step 4

   Arrange the birds breast side up in a shallow, heatproof roasting pan and scatter the necks, gizzards and hearts around the birds. Set the livers aside. Place the pan on the stove and heat until the oil sizzles. Put the birds into the oven and bake, basting often, about 20 minutes.

5. Step 5

   Turn each hen on its side and continue baking, basting often, about 10 minutes. Turn each again and bake 5 minutes. Add the livers and cook 10 minutes longer. To test for doneness, lift one of the birds; the liquid from the inside should run clear.

6. Step 6

   Untruss the hens and serve.