Howard Test Kitchen: Stuffed Love Birds (Feb 11)

We're counting down to Valentine's Day with an easy dinner that only looks like it took all day to make, and no one has to know how easy. Just watch. Since we're stuffing this dish, we'll start there. We add a package of one-step stuffing mix to a saucepan where we heated some apricot nectar and a bit of butter. We'll add in a few chopped almonds. The nectar is gonna give our stuffing that hint of fruity sweetness and the almonds add all the crunch.  Now, for the star of this dish: Cornish hens. And if you're not familiar with 'em, I think you should be.  Just think of them as sort of personal-sized chickens, which makes them perfect for Valentine's dinner. ... Or you can double or triple this recipe if you're serving more. To stuff 'em, it's okay to use your hands. It's the easiest way. And once they're stuffed, we brush 'em with a combo of salt, poultry seasoning and bit of veggie oil. And for lots of flavor, we pour some apricot nectar into the pan. That will infuse our hens as they bake. And we'll use that same nectar to baste 'em so they'll be really juicy.  And that natural sugar in the nectar will give 'em a nice golden color.  And when we serve these apricot-glazed hens brimming with that stuffing  and drizzle them with the pan drippings, watch out. The recipe for "Stuffed Love Birds" is online now, giving you the key to making a romantic dinner for your Valentine. And the only thing left to plan is what comes after dinner. And our guess: that would be a dessert that is equally "OOH IT'S SO GOOD!!"

Click Here for Mr. Food