This is a holiday stand-by favorite. If you are having a small group for holiday entertaining, consider serving these Cornish hens. The hens are very manageable, and no carving is required. Simply ask your butcher to halve the hens for you.

This recipe is quick to prepare, and guests will love the switch-up from holiday turkey. Slightly sweet, dried cranberries and dried apricots add an appealing note to the savory marinade. Dried cranberries are high in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties which is a bonus.

Marinating the hens ahead of time gives you plenty of time to get the rest of the meal arranged. These hens cook so much faster than a larger bird, and they are attractive served on a plate or a platter. If I am serving them family style, I like to overlap the hen halves on a large platter, garnish with parsley, and serve. I count a half of a hen per person and one hen for a large eater.

Make sure to pour over the dried fruit wine sauce for a juicy result. Serve a simple vegetable rice alongside for a satisfying meal. To drink? Try a pinot noir or a Beaujolais nouveau for a complementary flavor. For dessert, I’d go with chocolate mousse, chocolate cake or even a hot fudge sundae with crushed peppermint candy for garnish.

Savory Cornish Hens with White Wine and Dried Fruit

Serves 4 to 6

For the marinade:

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons sherry

...continued