Ingredients

• 1 Cornish hen, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 lbs, defrosted
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 small apple, cut into 1/2 in ch pieces
• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1 teaspoon cognac or 1 teaspoon brandy
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Wash hen and pat dry.

2. Sprinkle cavity with salt and pepper.

3. Toss apple pieces with brown sugar.

4. Place apple pieces in hen cavity.

5. Tie drumsticks together with heavy string.

6. Place hen, breast side down, on roasting rack.

7. In small bowl, stir cranberry sauce, cognac and cinnamon.

8. Baste hen with half the cranberry glaze.

9. Microwave on High 8 to 12 minutes, or until juices run clear and meat near bone is no longer pink, rotating 1/2 turn ever 2 to 3 minutes.

10. Turn hen breast side up after half the cooking time and baste with remaining glaze.

11. Variation - Honey-Soy Glazed Cornish Hen: Substitute half small onion, quartered, for the apple and brown sugar in cavity. Substitute 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard and 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger for the glaze ingredients. Microwave glaze at High 30 to 45 seconds, or until heated, stirring to dissolve honey. Continue as directed.

12. Glazed Cornish Hens for Two: Double all ingredients. Prepare as directed except microwave hens at High 16 to 20 minutes.