This is a wonderfully elegant entree to serve at a cozy dinner party for four. Your guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen preparing the tender golden brown hens and perfecting the full-flavored basting sauce.

Ingredients

• 4 cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup madeira wine, sherry or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to at 350°. Tie legs of each hen together; turn wing tips under backs. Place on a greased rack in a roasting pan. Brush with butter; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour.
2. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 15 minutes. Spoon over hens. Bake until a thermometer reads 170°, about 15 minutes longer.