Name: Cornish Game Hen with Double-Cranberry and Thyme Sauce
Prep time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Yield: Makes 2 servings
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons butter, divided; 1 tablespoon golden brown sugar; 3 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, divided; 1 1 1/2- to 1 3/4-pound Cornish game hen, halved, backbone removed, rinsed, patted dry; 1/2 tablespoon all purpose flour; 3/4 cup low-salt chicken broth; 1/2 cup white grape juice; 1/3 cup frozen cranberry juice cocktail concentrate, thawed; 1/4 cup dried sweetened cranberries

Photo by Tina Rupp

This is the perfect entrée for a holiday dinner for two. Complete the meal with sautéed green beans and wild mushrooms and a wild-rice pilaf with chopped fresh parsley and hazelnuts. For dessert? Chocolate mousse topped with rum-spiked whipped cream and chopped crystallized ginger.

INGREDIENT TIP:

: Look for the Cornish game hen in the frozen foods section of the supermarket. Or for easier preparation, buy one from the butcher and have him halve it and remove the backbone.