4 Cornish hens, butterflied
1 large orange, sliced into rounds

Citrus Sauce:
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 Vidalia onions, finely chopped
2 Tbsp sugar
1 cup beer
1 Tbsp honey
1 cup orange juice
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1/8 tsp powdered ginger
zest of 1 lemon (optional)

1.  To prepare the sauce, heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Add the sugar and reduce heat to medium-low. Allow the sugar to caramelize with the onions for about 10 minutes, until the onions are light brown. Add the beer and cook until liquid is reduced by half. Dissolve the cornstarch in the orange juice and add to the pan.

2.  Let cook until the mixture thickens, and add remaining ingredients. Stir until combined. Cool and refrigerate up to 4 days.

3.  Preheat oven to 350°F (180 C).

4.  Arrange orange slices in a pan and place butterflied Cornish hens on top. Brush hens with sauce and cover the pan. Bake for about 45 minutes. Uncover, baste with sauce again, and bake uncovered for 20 minutes.

Note:

To butterfly a Cornish hen, use a pair of kitchen shears. Cut the hen down one side of the backbone and through the ribs. Make an identical cut on the opposite side to remove the backbone completely; discard (or reserve for stock). Place the bird cutside down (skin-side up) and flatten with the heel of your hand; use both hands if you need to apply extra pressure.

This recipe appeared in Mishpacha Magazine, Succot 2012.