Ingredients

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, crumbled
• 3 bay leaves
• two 1 1/2-pound Cornish hens, halved and backbones removed
• Accompaniment: steamed white rice

Instructions

1. In a bowl stir together soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, oregano, bay leaves, and salt and pepper to taste. Put hens in a large sealable plastic bag and pour soy sauce mixture over them. Seal bag, pressing out extra air, and put in a bowl or shallow dish. Marinate hens, chilled, turning bag once or twice, at least 2 hours and up to 12.
2. Preheat oven to 450.
3. Arrange hens, skin side up, in a baking pan, 13 by 9 by 2 inches, and pour marinade around them. Bake hens in middle of oven 20 to 25 minutes, or until just cooked through.
4. Discard bay leaves and serve Cornish hens with rice.