Chocolate-It's What's for Dinner

Cornish Game Hens are a nice change from chicken. They really don't have a huge difference in taste.  Probably if you put them both in front of me and I blind taste tested, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference?? They do make a nice presentation though. Maple-Apple Jack Cornish Hens Adapted from Fine Cooking ) 2/3 c apple juice (or apple cider) 1 1/2 t molasses 1 1/2 T maple syrup 2 T AppleJack or Calvados 1/4 t nutmeg 1/4 t allspice 1 T butter 2 Cornish Hens, cut in half Add ingredients to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer until reduced by half 3-5 minutes. Dry hens with paper towels. Place Cornish hens in a roasting pan. Bake in a 425 oven for 45 minutes (or until they reach the temperature of 180) basting with sauce every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes. Serve I like cutting the hens in half. They cook evenly and they just make serving easier. Most people are not going to eat a whole hen. It's easier to just cut t...

Since I had the maple syrup out for the Brussels Sprouts, I thought well why not try it with the chicken too. Maple Mustard Chicken (Adapted from Cooking Light ) 2 t olive oil 1 lb chicken breast salt/pepper 2 clove garlic (chopped) 1/4 c chicken broth 1/4 c maple syrup 1 T vinegar (I used Kressi) 1 T dijon mustard 4-6 Fresh thyme sprigs Place the chicken breasts between a piece of plastic and sprinkle a little water so they do not stick. Pound the chicken thin. Season with salt and pepper. Place oil in hot oven-proof skillet. Add chicken to the pan and cook until browned and turn. DO NOT crowd the pan. Remove chicken from pan. Add garlic to the skillet and good until fragrant. Add broth and syrup and cook for 2 minutes, scraping the pan to loosen the brown bits (fond) from the pan.  Add the vinegar and mustard; stir until mustard is incorporated into the liquid. Cook for 1 minute. Add thyme and chicken to pan; turning chicken over to coat with sauce. Place pan...

It isn't too often that you find Brussels sprouts still on the"tree" so to speak. But there they were in Trader Joe's. They also came with a nifty recipe and so I decided to make it. Brussels Trees (Adapted from Trader Joe's) 1 Brussels Sprout Stalk 3/4 c maple syrup 1/4 c olive oil 1T fresh thyme salt/pepper Trim any really ugly looking parts off. Rinse and place in plastic wrap. I had to cut the stalk into two pieces in order for it to fit in my microwave. Cook on high in microwave for 5 minutes. Meanwhile mix maple syrup, olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Carefully remove stalk(s) from microwave. It is really hot! Remove plastic wrap. Place on a foil lined tray (I had thought of using the silpat but this is really sticky and I was glad I went for the easier clean up method). Pour maple syrup mixture over stalk. Turning the stalk over to coat evenly.  Before Roast at 400 for about 35-40 minutes. Turning stalk over once or twice to coat with t...