Mushroom-Stuffed Cornish Hens

Ingredients

•     1 tablespoon unsalted butter
•     2 tablespoons minced shallots
•     1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
•     8 ounces button mushrooms, wiped clean, stemmed, and finely chopped
•     1 teaspoon salt
•     1/8 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
•     2 1/2 tablespoons dry white wine
•     2 tablespoons of fresh grated Parmesan Reggiano Cheese
•     2 Cornish hens, about 1 1/4 pounds each
•     1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
•     4 strips pancetta, blanched
•     5 sprigs thyme

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
3. Add the mushrooms, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and white pepper, reduce the heat to medium,and cook, stirring, until all the liquid has evaporated and the mushrooms begin to caramelize, about 12 minutes.
4. Add the wine and cook, stirring to deglaze the pan, until all the liquid has evaporated.
5. Remove from the heat and let cool before using.
6. After the mixture is cooled, add the Parmesan cheese and the leaves from one sprig of thyme and mix.
7. With your fingers, gently lift and loosen the skin from the hens’ breasts to make a pocket. Spread half of the mushroom mixture over each breast using a spoon and pull the skin back into place.
8. Pat the hen skin dry with a a paper towel to remove any moisture and to allow the skin to brown. Ties legs together if desired.
9. Season the hens, inside and out, with the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and the black pepper.
10. Wrap each hen with 2 strips of pancetta, crossing over the breast to cover.
11. Place the hens breast side up in a roasting pan and roast until the juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 180 degrees F, about 45 minutes.
12. Remove from the oven and serve.