Game Hens in Apricot, Tequila, and California Chile Sauce

• 3 cups chicken broth, or more as needed
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 4 tablespoons golden tequila
• Two 2-pound Cornish game hens, thawed if frozen
• 3 California chiles, stemmed and seeded
• 1/2 cup apricot preserves
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh apricot halves, for garnish

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Mix 1/2 cup of the chicken broth, the melted butter, and 2 tablespoons of the tequila in a small glass bowl.
3. Using a kitchen syringe, inject the mixture all over the hens, about 1/2 inch deep into the flesh.
4. (If the butter in the mixture solidifies, warm it in a microwave.)
5. Put the chiles and 2 cups of the broth in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil over high heat.
6. Remove the pan from the heat.
7. Let stand for 5 minutes to soften the chiles.
8. Then transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth.
9. Strain the chile mixture into a small bowl, pressing on the sieve to extract as much liquid as possible.
10. Discard whatever is left in the sieve.
11. Mix 1/4 cup of the preserves and 1/4 cup of the chile mixture in a medium bowl.
12. Season heavily with salt and pepper.
13. Rub the mixture all over the hens, working some of it between the skin and the breast.
14. Put the hens on a rack in a large roasting pan.
15. Add the remaining 1/2 cup broth to the roasting pan.
16. Roast, basting with the pan drippings every 20 minutes, for 1 hour, or until a thermometer inserted into a thigh registers 160F.
17. Add more broth if the juices begin to dry out.
18. Transfer the hens to a platter.
19. Strain the pan juices into a medium saucepan.
20. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons tequila, 1/4 cup apricot preserves, and chile mixture.
21. Bring to a boil over high heat.
22. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
23. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
24. Pour the sauce over the hens, garnish the platter with fresh apricot halves, and serve.

chicken broth, unsalted butter, golden tequila, cornish game hens, california chiles, apricot preserves, salt, fresh apricot halves

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/game-hens-in-apricot-tequila-and-california-chile-sauce-386982 (may not work)