Instructions: Rinse hens and pat dry. Squeeze lemon juice inside cavities and rub outside with cut lemon. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Melt 1 1/2 T. of the butter in heavy medium saucepan. Add onion and apple. Saute, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until onion is softened but not browned, about 5 min. Add rice, currants, curry powder, and cayenne. Reduce heat to low. Saute, stirring frequently, for 5 min. Stir in 2 1/2 cup of the broth. Heat to boiling then reduce heat to low. Stir once and cook, covered, over low heat until rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 min. Remove from heat. Let stand, uncovered, 15 min. to cool slightly. Spoon rice into cavities of hens. Truss hens.

Melt remaining butter in large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add bacon. Reduce heat to low. Saute, stirring occasionally, until bacon begins to brown, about 8 min. Remove bacon with slotted spoon, reserve.

Add hens to drippings in skillet, working in batches if necessary.

Saute, turning occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides, about 20 minutes. Reserve drippings.

Heat oven to 350 F. Place hens breast side up in roasting pan. Pour drippings over hens, baste with remainig 3/4 cup broth. Roast, uncovered, 45 min., basting frequently with pan juices. Sprinkle hens with reserved bacon. Cover pan tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil.

Roast until juices run clear when thickest part of thigh is pierced, about 30 minutes.

Remove hens to platter. Tent with foil to keep warm. Strain pan juices into small saucepan. Skim off fat. Stir in 1-2 T. Madeira, to taste.

Remove trussing from hens. Spoon sauce over hens when serving.

Serves 6.

Variation:
This is even better that the original. Substitute wild rice for all or part of the rice. You will have to check to see how much raw wild rice you will need to yield the same amount of cooked rice. I dont really remember what amount I use. Also check on the difference in cooking times for wild rice. Be sure to use a good quality curry powder. I go to an oriental grocer and get Madras curry powder from India. Its much better than most American versions.

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