SERVES 5
President Snow served a lot of elaborate and fanciful poultry dishes at his parties and dinners, using food to impress people and illustrate his status as the most powerful man in Panem. He may have had bad judgment and a real evil streak, but he knew good food. While not everything met with Katniss and Peeta’s approval, they seemed to like the poultry dishes quite well.
This recipe will impress your dinner table, but it’s just as much about flavor as it is about good looks. The cranberries add a wonderful tartness to the rice stuffing.
2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL
2 TABLESPOONS BUTTER
½ CUP CELERY, CHOPPED
¼ CUP FRESH MUSHROOMS, SLICED
1 (6-OUNCE) PACKAGE FAST-COOKING LONG GRAIN AND WILD RICE MIX
1½ CUPS CHICKEN BROTH OR STOCK
¼ CUP WATER
½ CUP WATER CHESTNUTS, CHOPPED
½ CUP DRIED CRANBERRIES
½ CUP DRIED APRICOTS, CHOPPED
½ CUP GREEN ONIONS, CHOPPED
2 TABLESPOONS REDUCED-SODIUM SOY SAUCE
5 CORNISH GAME HENS
In a saucepan, melt butter with olive oil until no longer frothy.
Cook celery and mushrooms on medium-high heat in butter and olive oil until tender.
Stir in rice and cook for 1 minute.
Stir in the contents of the rice seasoning packet (if one), broth and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 5–6 minutes, or until rice is tender.
Add the water chestnuts, cranberries, apricots, onions and soy sauce to rice.
Stuff the hens with rice mixture.
Place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.
Bake at 375 degrees for 50–60 minutes, or until juices run clear and the hens register 160 degrees according to a meat thermometer inserted inside of the thigh.