Cornish Hens With Fresh Figs

Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 8 large onions, thinly sliced
• 6 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 4 small cornish hen
• 2 tablespoons virgin olive oil
• 12 threads spanish saffron, toasted and crushed
• 12 fresh figs, peeled and halved

Recipe

• 1 in a heavy ovenproof skillet or dutch oven, combine the onions with 3 tablespoons of the honey, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper.
• 2 cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn a deep caramel color, 25 to 30 minutes.
• 3 meanwhile, wash and dry the hens.
• 4 in a small bowl, mix the oil with the saffron, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• 5 coat the hens inside and out with the mixture and set them on top of the onions.
• 6 still over medium heat, cover, and cook until the hens are tender and the juices run clear, 45 to 50 minutes.
• 7 preheat the broiler.
• 8 remove the hens from the pan and cut them in half, if desired.
• 9 return to the pan and surround with the figs.
• 10 drizzle the dish with the remaining 3 tablespoons honey.
• 11 broil, watching carefully, until the breasts turn brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
• 12 transfer to a serving platter and serve.