FEWER THAN 10 INGREDIENTS / QUICK RELEASE / CAN BE GLUTEN-FREE
Poached Game Hens in a Lemon-Thyme Sauce
4 servings
Although roasting game hens gives them a crisp skin, the birds can also be poached, particularly if the sauce is assertive enough to stand up to their slightly more aggressive flavor. Here, little bits of lemon will soften under pressure, a great match to the meat. Although we suggest removing the necks and giblets, you can certainly add the necks to the pot, even if you don’t intend to eat them, mostly to give the sauce a more assertive “poultry” flavor. In fact, you can even chop up the hearts and gizzards, if available, and add them to the pot. (Leave out the liver.)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Two 1½- to 2-pound Cornish game hens, giblets and necks removed, each halved lengthwise
1 large leek (about 6 ounces), white and pale green parts only, halved lengthwise, well washed, and thinly sliced (½ cup)
1½ cups chicken broth
1 small lemon, scrubbed to remove any waxy coating, then halved and sliced into thin half-moons, any seeds removed
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon stemmed fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon salt-free lemon pepper seasoning
1 teaspoon table salt
1.
Press the button for: SAUTÉ
Set it for: MEDIUM, NORMAL, or CUSTOM 300°F
Set the time for: 15 minutes
If necessary, press: START
2. Warm the oil in a 6- or 8-quart cooker for a minute or two. Add the two halves of one bird skin side down and brown well without turning, about 5 minutes. Transfer the halves to a bowl and brown the remaining halves in the same way before transferring them to that bowl.
3. Add the leek and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the broth and scrape up any browned bits on the pot’s bottom. Turn off the SAUTÉ function and mix in the lemon slices, honey, thyme, lemon pepper seasoning, and salt. Nestle the birds skin side up in the sauce, overlapping them to fit. Pour any juices from their bowl over them, then lock the lid onto the cooker.
4.
Set the machine for: PRESSURE COOK
Set the level for: MAX
The valve must be: 
Set the time for: 12 minutes with the KEEP WARM setting off
If necessary, press: START
Set the machine for: MEAT/STEW, PRESSURE COOK, or MANUAL
Set the level for: HIGH
The valve must be: Closed
Set the time for: 15 minutes with the KEEP WARM setting off
If necessary, press: START
5. Use the quick-release method to bring the pot’s pressure back to normal. Unlatch the lid and open the pot. Serve the game hen halves in bowls with the pot’s sauce over them.