Cream Of Sherry Pheasant Or Partridge Recipes

CREAM OF SHERRY PHEASANT OR PARTRIDGE

Steps:

• 1. Quarter pheasant using a heavy knife: cut through back just ahead of the thighs. Split thighs along one side of the backbone. Carefully cut back from the wings and breast and discard. Find the keelbone at the center of the breast. Place knife flush along one side of the keelbone and spit breast lengthwise. For partridge, follow same procedure, but use two birds and leave breasts whole.
• 2. Dredge poultry pieces in dry mix, then the wet bath, then dry mix again. Place breaded pieces on a large plate.
• 3. Heat 3 tbsp butter in a large skillet (preferably cast iron), over medium heat. When butter bubbles, add poultry pieces. Cook bone side up for 5 minutes, covering pan with a tight lid (glass is best). Avoid searing breading. Add mushrooms and onion, rotate poultry with tongs, and continue to brown the bone side for 5 min, covered. Add sherry, return lid.
• 4. Reduce heat to simmer for 25-30 minutes, covered. Deeply prick a thick piece of meat to test doneness. If juice runs clear, it is done. During this time, add chicken broth sparingly if neccessary to keep bottom of pan from drying out. By the end of the 25 minutes, liquid should be almost completely dissipated.
• 5. While poultry is simmering, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and toss with pine nuts and a pat of butter.
• 6. Remove cover, stirring cream gently into pan. Allow to re-heat slowly, removing from heat when cream is hot. Serve over pasta.
• 7. Remember, watch out for shot in your meat!

HOW TO COOK PHEASANT IN A SLOW COOKER

Steps:

• Spray the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray. Get out a slow cooker that's at least 4 quarts (3.8 liters) in size. Spray the inside of the slow cooker with a vegetable oil cooking spray. The cooking spray will prevent the pheasant and vegetables from sticking to the slow cooker.
• Cut 1 onion, 2 carrots, and 2 parsnips. Peel the vegetables and then use a sharp knife to cut the onion into 1/2 in (1.3 cm) slices. Then chop the carrots and parsnips into rough pieces that aren't smaller than 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm). Cut the parsnips and carrots into pieces that are the same size so they cook evenly.
• Place the vegetables and pheasant into the slow cooker. Spread the sliced onions and chopped carrots and parsnips evenly across the bottom of the greased slow cooker. Then arrange 2 to 3 pounds (0.9 to 1.3 kg) of pheasant on top of the vegetables. You can use pheasant breasts or any pieces of pheasant you have.
• Put the bacon, broth, and sherry into the slow cooker. Lay 4 slices of bacon over the pieces of pheasant so the bacon is in a single layer. Then pour 1⁄4 cup (59 ml) of chicken broth and 1⁄4 cup (59 ml) of sherry over the pheasant and vegetables. If you don't have bacon, you can leave it out of the recipe, but the pheasants won't have a rich, smoky flavor.
• Season the pheasant with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sprinkle salt and pepper according to your taste over the pheasant and vegetables. You'll also need to scatter 1/4 teaspoon (0.6 g) of garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon (0.6 g) of onion powder over the mixture.
• Cover and cook the pheasant for 8 to 10 hours on LOW. Turn the slow cooker on and cook the pheasant and vegetables until the pheasant is completely cooked. If you prefer to cook the dish faster, turn your slow cooker to HIGH and cook the pheasant for 3 to 4 hours. If you're cooking whole pheasants, they should reach 180 °F (82 °C) with an instant-read meat thermometer. If you're cooking pieces, they should reach 165 °F (74 °C).
• Serve the pheasant with vegetables. Turn off the slow cooker and serve the hot pheasant with the tender vegetables. Consider serving them with warm, crusty bread, steamed rice, or noodles. Refrigerate the leftover pheasant with vegetables in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days.

PARTRIDGES WITH ORANGE AND VERMOUTH SAUCE

Steps:

• Sprinkle the partridges, inside and out with half the salt and peper.
• In a large saucepan, melt all but 1 Tbsp butter over moderate heat.
• When the foam subsides, add the partridge halves and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until they are lightly and evenly browned.
• Cover the pan and cook for a further 12 to 15 minutes on each side, or until the partridges are tender when pierced with the point of a knife.
• Using tongs, or two large spoons, transfer the partridge halves to a warmed serving dish.
• Keep warm while you make the sauce.
• TO MAKE THE SAUCE: Pour off all but 1 Tbsp of fat from the pan.
• Add the onion and fry, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until it is soft and translucent, but not brown.
• Pour in the chicken stock and vermouth and add the remaining salt and pepper.
• Increase the heat to high and boil for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by about one-third.
• Reduce the heat to moderate and add the orange juice, cream and chives.
• Gradually stir in BEURRE MANIE*, a small piece at a time.
• (*BEURREMANIE is kneaded butter. Kneaded butter is used to thicken stews and sauces.) Mix together equal amounts of softened butter, from the reserved 1 Tbsp and flour (soften the butter with a fork, to incorporate the flour).
• Add in small knobs to the boiling liquid.
• Whisk constantly until the butter melts and sauce is thickened.
• Continue cooking stirring constantly, for 2 or 3 minutes, or until the sauce is smooth and thick and hot- but not boiling.
• Remove the pan from the heat and pour the sauce over the partridges.
• Garnish with the orange slices and serve immediately.