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1
Remove giblets from hens. Reserve livers for stuffing; discard giblets. Rinse hens with cold water; pat dry. Rub cavity of each with lemon. Sprinkle each cavity with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
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2
Combine reserved livers and chicken livers in a colander; rinse thoroughly, and pat dry. Saute livers in 3 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet 3 minutes or until livers are browned. Remove livers; chop finely and set aside. Reserve drippings in skillet.
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3
Add 2 tablespoons butter, onion, and ham to skillet; saute 5 minutes. Add chopped liver, mushrooms, almonds, parsley, and 3/4 cup wine; simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and add breadcrumbs, sage, and thyme, stirring well. Stuff hens lightly with herb mixture. Close cavities, and secure with wooden picks; truss. Place hens, breast side up, in a shallow baking pan.
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4
Combine jelly and remaining 1/4 cup butter in a small saucepan; cook over low heat, stirring often, until jelly melts. Stir in 1 cup wine. Pour mixture over hens. Bake at 400u00b0 for 20 minutes; reduce heat to 350u00b0, and bake an additional 45 minutes, basting occasionally. If hens get too brown, cover loosely with aluminum foil.
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5
Skim fat from pan drippings. Discard fat, and transfer drippings to a small saucepan. Blend flour with a small amount of water, mixing to form a smooth paste; stir into drippings. Add remaining wine; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly. Serve gravy with Cornish hens.
