[Zoner]

My buddy and I are making a special dinner for our significant others.

Here's the menu I came up with:

CORNISH HENS AU CHAMPAGNE
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2 cornish hens
1/2 c champagne
2 tbsp melted butter
Salt & pepper to taste
Savoury poultry dressing

Sauce:
Pan drippings from hens
3-4 shallots, minced
1/4 c fresh tarragon, chiffonade
1/8 c fresh rosemary, chopped
3/4 c half-and-half cream
Salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Stuff cornish hens. Place hens in a roasting
pan. Brush hens with butter and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 10
minutes. Reduce oven to 400 degrees. Pour champagne over hens and continue
roasting, basting frequently for 45 minutes (or until juices run clear when
a thigh is pricked).

Take drippings and put 'em in the freezer. Skim off fat after it solidifies and throw the drippings
into a sautee pan with sauteed shallots, fresh tarragon, fresh rosemary, and half-and-half.
Salt & pepper to taste. Simmer and reduce until thick.

Place a circle of sauce on the plate and place the hen on top, with the side
dishes on the outside of the circle of sauce. Spoon a bit of sauce over the
top of the hen.
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GLAZED BABY CARROTS
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1 tbsp melted butter
1/2 lb baby carrots; cooked and drained
1 tbsp orange juice
1/2 tbsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp cinnamon
Salt & pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and cook until carrots are glazed over high heat,
about 2 minutes.
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GARLIC MASHED POTATOES
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7 c cubed peeled baking potatoes
6 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 c low-fat milk, (2%)
1/4 c Parmesan cheese, grated
2 tbsp margarine
Salt & pepper to taste
Place potatoes and garlic in a saucepan. Cover with water; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat. Simmer 20 minutes; drain. Return potatoes and garlic to pan. Add
remaining ingredients; mash until smooth.
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I think we're going to make a cheesecake too...dunno yet. And of course, there'll be a dozen roses for each of the ladies. If that don't get us some action, nothing will! biggrin: