Apricot-Sage Glazed Game Hens

I must admit, I'm extremely proud of this recipe!  And our dinner guests seemed pretty pleased, seeing as even the ladies ate more than half of their own bird!  Keep in mind this was our third course...  So I'd say it was a success!  Who says a vegetarian can't come up with an awesome meat dish ;)

Ingredients: 

• 2 game hens
• 4 c. water
• 2 T. salt
• 2 T. sugar

• 2 t. salt (1/2 t)
• 1/2 t. cayenne (1/8)

• 1/2 apple, chopped
• 1/4 onion, chopped
• 1/4 orange, chopped
• 1/4 t. garlic
• 2 sage leaves
• 2 sprigs of thyme

• 2/3 c. chicken broth
• 1 T. apple cider vinegar
• 3 T. apricot preserves
• 1 T. brown sugar
• 2 T. onion
• 1/2 t. garlic
• 2 T. chopped sage
• 3 sprigs of thyme
• dash nutmeg

Directions: 

1. Combine water with sugar and salt and brine game hens for 2-4 hours, in fridge.  Remove birds from brine and rinse with water.  Dry with paper towel.
2. Brush insides of birds with 1/3 salt and cayenne mixture.  Sprinkle w/ remaining spice on outside, and rub in.
3. Stuff each hen with equal parts apples, onions, garlic, orange, sage and thyme.  Allow to air dry in fridge, uncovered for 30-60 minutes.
4. While birds dry, prepare the glaze: combine chicken broth with apple cider vinegar, apricot preserves, brown sugar, onions, sage, thyme and nutmeg in food blender and process until smooth.  Add to saucepan and simmer over medium heat until thickened, stirring frequently.
5. Preheat oven to 350.  Place dried birds in roasting pan and pour glaze over birds.  Bake, covered at 350 for 15 minutes.  Remove cover and bake for another 15 minutes.
6. Roast hens for 30 minutes more, or until internal temp reaches 165, glazing every 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes, covered.

I've made these three times now, with the commitment to make them once a month as a special Sunday dinner.  Twice, my father raved about them, even declaring them to be better than my mother's (sorry, mom).  And when he found out I made it a third time without him, he drooled and wished for some leftovers.  *B