Grilled Apricot-Glazed Game Hens

Adapted from Fine Cooking.
Yield 4 servings
Ingredients

2 games hens
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup apricot preserves
4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary


1 Using poultry shears or sharp knife, butterfly hens by splitting down the back and pressing flat.
2 In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder. Sprinkle this mixture over both sides of hens. (This can be done 4 hours in advance of cooking - cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate, removing from refrigerator one hour before cooking.)
3 In a small bowl, melt butter in microwave, then add remaining ingredients and stir to blend. If the preserves are stiff, microwave the mixture at 10-second intervals until it is easy to blend.
4 Preheat grill and oil the grates.
5 Place hens skin side down and cook for 7 minutes, until golden brown. Flip and cook other side for 7 minutes, then baste skin side with glaze before turning over again.
6 Cook for 4 minutes, watching carefully so glaze does not burn. Baste again then flip. Baste tops with remaining glaze, then cook 4 minutes more.
7 Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut down middle through breast bone and serve each guest half of a hen.

notes This can be made with chicken if game hens are not handy.
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