Cooking Classic: Cornish Hen with Almond Sautéed Green Beans

with Chef Robert Larios
Photography by Patricia M. Larios

Cooking dishes for the winter holidays can be easy for some and a challenge for others. It can be easy if you make the same dishes, but it can be a difficult chore looking for new dishes to prepare.

This recipe works well for the holiday season, and it can even be a summer dish as well. It is important to let the Cornish hens marinate for at least three hours, but it is best to let them marinate overnight. The flavors will be at maximum by doing so. Also, you are free to use regular chicken meat like chicken breast, thighs, legs, etc. If you don’t have a grill, you may bake in the oven.

The almond sautéed green beans are an upgrade from the standard steamed or baked green beans. The addition of the almonds and the juice of a lemon send this part of the recipe to a whole new level in flavor.

¡Buen provecho!



Cornish Hen with Almond Sautéed Green Beans



Yields2 Servings

Marinated Cornish Game Hens
 ¼ cup sliced almonds
 4 cloves garlic, chopped
 ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
 1 cup white wine
 Sea salt and pepper to taste
 1 cup fresh Italian parsley
 ¼ cup fresh rosemary
 6 pieces Cornish hen thighs
Almond Sautéed Green Beans
 ½ cup sliced almonds
 2 cloves garlic, chopped
 ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
 ½ lb to 1 pound green beans
 Sea salt and pepper to taste
 ¼ cup fresh Italian parsley
 Juice of one lemon
 ¼ cup water

Marinated Cornish Game Hens
1

Step 1:
Take a large bowl and add the chopped garlic,
chopped parsley, rosemary, salt and
pepper, extra virgin olive oil, the cup of
white wine and the Cornish hen thighs.
Mix the ingredients together. Cover with
saran wrap and place in the refrigerator
overnight to marinate.

2

Step 2:
Place the Cornish hen pieces on the grill
with medium heat. Cover and then, at
about 20 minutes on one side, flip them to
the other side for another 20 minutes.
Times are approximate, and an eye must be
kept on the grill to be sure there is no overcooking.
Once cooked, place the Cornish
hens in a tray or bowl to cool.

Almond Sautéed Green Beans
3

Step 3:
Make sure the green beans are washed and
pat-dried. Also have the half cup of sliced
almonds ready. Place almonds in a pan on
medium to roast for about five minutes to
release the oils and intensify the flavors.

4

Step 4:
In another pan, add the extra virgin olive
oil in medium heat and then add the green
beans, salt, pepper, parsley and garlic. Let
cook for about five to 10 minutes and then
add the water and the juice of one lemon to
create steam and soften further the green
beans. Add the almonds and toss lightly.

5

Step 5:
Take a large plate and add the almond
sautéed green beans, then place the grilled
Cornish hens on top of the bed of green
beans. Add a twig of rosemary for presentation
if you wish.

Ingredients

Marinated Cornish Game Hens
 ¼ cup sliced almonds
 4 cloves garlic, chopped
 ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
 1 cup white wine
 Sea salt and pepper to taste
 1 cup fresh Italian parsley
 ¼ cup fresh rosemary
 6 pieces Cornish hen thighs
Almond Sautéed Green Beans
 ½ cup sliced almonds
 2 cloves garlic, chopped
 ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
 ½ lb to 1 pound green beans
 Sea salt and pepper to taste
 ¼ cup fresh Italian parsley
 Juice of one lemon
 ¼ cup water

Directions

Marinated Cornish Game Hens
1

Step 1:
Take a large bowl and add the chopped garlic,
chopped parsley, rosemary, salt and
pepper, extra virgin olive oil, the cup of
white wine and the Cornish hen thighs.
Mix the ingredients together. Cover with
saran wrap and place in the refrigerator
overnight to marinate.

2

Step 2:
Place the Cornish hen pieces on the grill
with medium heat. Cover and then, at
about 20 minutes on one side, flip them to
the other side for another 20 minutes.
Times are approximate, and an eye must be
kept on the grill to be sure there is no overcooking.
Once cooked, place the Cornish
hens in a tray or bowl to cool.

Almond Sautéed Green Beans
3

Step 3:
Make sure the green beans are washed and
pat-dried. Also have the half cup of sliced
almonds ready. Place almonds in a pan on
medium to roast for about five minutes to
release the oils and intensify the flavors.

4

Step 4:
In another pan, add the extra virgin olive
oil in medium heat and then add the green
beans, salt, pepper, parsley and garlic. Let
cook for about five to 10 minutes and then
add the water and the juice of one lemon to
create steam and soften further the green
beans. Add the almonds and toss lightly.

5

Step 5:
Take a large plate and add the almond
sautéed green beans, then place the grilled
Cornish hens on top of the bed of green
beans. Add a twig of rosemary for presentation
if you wish.

Notes

Cornish Hen with Almond Sautéed Green Beans

[ A Cook’s Dictionary ]

Rosemary: Used since 500 B.C., rosemary is native to the Mediterranean area (where it grows wild) but is now cultivated throughout Europe and in the United States. Early on, this mint-family member was used to cure ailments of the nervous system. Rosemary can be used as a seasoning in a variety of dishes, including fruit salads, soups, vegetables, meat (particularly lamb), fish and egg dishes, stuffings and dressings.

From the The New Food Lover’s Companion,
Sharon Tyler Herbst, 1995, Barron’s Educational Series.



Cooking Tidbit: Feel free to use your favorite sandwich bread and toasting it before you add the ingredients.



Food Quote: “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”– Charles M. Schulz 

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