• Preheat the smoker to 225 F. and set it for indirect heat.

Wild Rice Stuffing Preparation

• In a pot, bring the 2 cups of chicken stock to a boil. Once boiling, add in the butter and the wild rice. Stir and cover, reducing the heat to low.
• Simmer the wild rice for 40-45 minutes or until tender and the liquid is rendered.
• While the wild rice is cooking, add the olive oil to a skillet over medium heat.
• Sauté the carrot, celery, and shallot for 6 min. Stir in the fresh herbs, seasonings, and dried cranberries. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• After the rice has fully cooked, fluff it with a fork. Then fold in vegetable mixture.

Cornish Hen Preparation

• In a bowl, combine the dry rub ingredients and mix until combined. Remove and save 2 tsp for later and set it aside.
• Remove the Cornish hens from the packaging and remove excess moisture with paper towels.
• Use your fingers to lightly light the skin under the breast portion of each hen. Then tuck in 1 tbsp of cold butter under the skin and over the breast meat on each side (2 tbsp of butter total per Cornish hen).
• Lightly oil the Cornish hens all over on all sides. Then season generously with the prepared dry rub all over and into the cavity of the bird.
• Once coated, stuff each hen with the prepared wild rice mixture. Tie the legs closed and crossed with butchers twine.

Smoking Instructions

• Melt the remaining butter and add the 2 tsp of reserved dry rub to the butter for basting.
• Place the Cornish hens onto the grill grates and smoke at 225 F. for 40-45 min.
• After 40-45 baste the birds with some of the melted butter mixture. Then increase the grill temperature to 425 F. and continue to smoke an additional 15 min.
• Baste again after 15 min and continue to smoke until the Cornish hens reach an internal temperature of 165 F. In total, smoking time will vary around 60-90 min.

Serving

• Remove the Cornish hens from the smoker and let rest 10 minutes. Place them onto a platter and garnish with lemon slices and fresh herbs. Serve and enjoy!