Ingredients

  • 5 each plums red, ripe, halved, pitted
  • 2 tablespoons onions finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon cumin ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon celery seeds
  • 1/4 each black pepper ground
  • 2 each cornish game hens
  • 1 5 spinach fresh, baby
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin ground
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 18 teaspoon black pepper ground

Method

  • Several hours or day before serving, prepare Balsamic Viniagrette: In pint jar with tight-fitting lid, shake all ingredients.
  • Cover and set aside until ready to serve.
  • About 1 hour before serving, heat indoor or outdoor grill to medium.
  • Coat grill rack with nonstick cooking spray.
  • On cutting board, finely chop 2 plum halves.
  • In bowl, mix chopped plum, the onion, vinegar, honey, cumin, salt, celery seeds, and pepper.
  • Lift skin on breasts of hens and spread 1/4 of plum mixture under each.
  • Arrange hens, breast-side down, on grill rack 6 inches above heat and grill until golden brown--about 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, thread remaining 8 plum halves on several thin metal or soaked bamboo skewers.
  • Turn hens and grill on remaining side 15 to 20 minutes or until juices run clear when trhigh is pierced with fork.
  • Brush plums with some of Balsamic Vinaigrette and grill 3 minutes on each side.
  • Pour remaining Vinaigrette into cruet.
  • To serve, on large platter arrange spinach in an even layer.
  • Place hens on top.
  • Remove plums from skewers and arrange with hens.
  • Pass Balsamic Vinaigrette.