Cornish Hen

From the Williamsburg Inn's Regency Room.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This elegant but easy recipe is the perfect entrée for a romantic dinner. This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Tame the heat with turnip greens and biscuits, then warm up again with hot chocolate topped with cinnamon whipped cream.

This poultry dish features many of the flavors of the classic Moroccan dish b'stilla but is much easier to make.

In this recipe, based on a dish from the Republic of Georgia called tabaka, small chickens are flattened and weighted so they cook evenly and quickly. We call for poussins or Cornish game hens, but the same technique works well with a frying chicken.

"My husband and I often visit the Frenchglen Hotel at the base of Steens Mountain in southeastern Oregon," writes Janis Gavin of Albion, California. "We go there for the bird-watching, the stunning views and the fabulous dinners— one of which was the inspiration for this dish." These game hens would be delicious served with mashed potatoes and sautéed greens.

Small Cornish hens (about 1 1/4 pounds each) make a fine substitute for poussins.

Robust ingredients and an elegant presentation: This dish captures all the romance of winter fireside dining. Break out a bottle of good Chianti to pour with supper.

Jason Gareffa of Los Angeles, California, writes: "Pursuing a career in acting keeps me tremendously busy. Between my improv comedy classes, performances, auditions for film and television roles, and gigs as a DJ for weddings, I don't have a lot of extra time on my hands. But good food is important to me, especially since I need a lot of energy to stay on the go. So over the years, I've started experimenting in the kitchen. Now the other members of my improv group even like to come to my 'wrap parties' to taste my creations." Serve basmati rice (or regular white rice) on the side to complement the Indian flavors.

Serve with: Baby red potatoes (tossed in olive oil and roasted alongside the hen) and buttered green beans. Dessert: A Key lime pie from the bakery.

The sweet, sour and spice combination, is common all over the Mediterranean and is often found in Catalan cuisine, especially with poultry and game birds. Serve this impressive main course with crisp roasted potatoes and a dry white Penedès wine.