Roasted Cornish Hens and Grapes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs. mixed red and green seedless grapes
• 8 shallots root end intact, halved if large
• 6 sprigs thyme plus leaves for hens
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 4 Cornish game hens (1 to 1 1/4 pounds each)

Instructions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 450° . On a rimmed baking sheet, toss grapes and shallots with thyme sprigs, oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
2. 2
   Tie legs with kitchen twine; nestle hens among grapes on baking sheet, breast side up. Season hens generously with salt and pepper; sprinkle with thyme leaves.
3. 3
   Roast, basting hens occasionally with pan juices, until an instant- read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of leg (avoiding bone) registers 160° , 30 to 35 minutes.