CORNISH GAME HENS WITH POMEGRANATE MOLASSES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Tie each hen's legs together with butcher's twine or a blanched scallion green.
• Coat a large saute pan with olive oil and bring to medium-high heat. Season the hens on both sides generously with salt. Carefully lay the hens in the pan, skin side down, and cook until the skin becomes brown and crispy, 6 to 7 minutes. Turn the hens over and brown on the flesh side. Do not crowd your pan, you may need to do this in batches. Remove the hens to a sheet tray.
• Meanwhile, combine the molasses and garlic in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the molasses to a boil and reduce by half until syrupy, about 20 minutes.
• Brush the hens on both sides with the reduced molasses. Put the hens in the oven and roast until they are cooked through, basting occasionally, about 20 minutes.
• Remove the hens from the oven and garnish with the sliced scallions.