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Category: Game and Other Meats

Standing Rib Roast of Bison with Herbs

Standing Rib Roast of Bison with Herbs

Standing Rib Roast of Bison with Herbs

 

1 Bison rib roast

Salt and pepper

1/4 cups chopped fresh herbs, such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, savory and parsley

 

Preheat the oven to 450°. Remove the roast from the refrigerator and allow it to come up to room temperature. Dry the roast very well and season liberally with salt, pepper and the chopped herbs. Place the roast directly on the oven rack with a pan below it, or on a roasting rack and roast for about 1 ½ hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 120° (for medium rare) or 130° for medium. Allow the roast to rest, loosely covered with foil, for at least 30 minutes before carving. The leftover bones from the duck and bison should be made into a delicious stock. Cover them with cold water, add a couple of peeled onions, some carrot and a bay leaf and simmer gently for as long as you can stand, up to 8 hours. Skim the foam and fat that rises to the surface, pour through a fine strainer and freeze in small batches for future soups and sauces.

Wild Pork Loin with Wild Strawberry Tarragon Vinaigrette

Wild Pork Loin with Wild Strawberry Tarragon Vinaigrette

Wild Pork Loin with Wild Strawberry Tarragon Vinaigrette

 

1 large sprig tarragon, stripped and chopped

1 big handful wild strawberries

3 T. (45ml) champagne or high quality white wine vinegar

1/2 T. (6g) white sugar

2 T. (30ml) neutral oil like good quality sunflower or grapeseed

1 wild pork loin, about 8″ (20cm) long, or 1 store bought pork tenderloin, whole

Kosher salt

Black pepper

1 T. (15ml) lard or vegetable oil

 

Add the chopped tarragon and strawberries to a bowl. Crush the strawberries with a fork. Add the sugar and vinegar to the bowl and stir to combine. Let the strawberries macerate while you cook the pork. Season the pork loin generously with salt and pepper. Heat the lard or oil in a cast iron or steel pan over high heat. Add the loin and sear until browned on all sides. Lower the heat to medium and cook until a thermometer registers at least 145°F in several parts of the loin. Let rest for 8-10 minutes. Add the neutral oil to the strawberry mixture and whisk very well to emulsify. Slice the pork loin into disks and drizzle with the vinaigrette to serve. This would go great with a side like rice or noodles. Enjoy!

Meatballs with Pine Nuts and Summer Savory

Meatballs with Pine Nuts and Summer Savory

Meatballs with Pine Nuts and Summer Savory

 

1/2 cup (120 ml) milk

1/2 cup (55 g) bread crumbs

1 1/2 pounds (680 g) ground lamb

1/3 cup (45 g) pine nuts

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup (100 g) chopped scallions, green parts only

2 cloves garlic, very finely chopped

2 T. chopped fresh summer savory (or substitute fresh parsley or oregano)

2 T. pomegranate molasses

1 egg

1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil

 

Pour the milk onto the bread Squeeze them out and reserve. crumbs and let them absorb the liquid for about 3 minutes. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the olive oil and mix very well. If you have time, leave the bowl in the fridge for an hour to allow the flavors to blend. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pan. Start forming the lamb mixture into small balls the size of pingpong balls. Fry until brown on one side, flip, brown, and remove to a plate when cooked. Cook in 3 or 4 batches and do not overcrowd the pan or it will lose heat and you’ll get gray, steamed meatballs. Alternatively, preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) and roast the meatballs on an oiled rimmed baking sheet for 15 minutes, turning once. Serve the meatballs at room temperature.

Lamb Chops with Lovage and Ramps

Lamb Chops with Lovage and Ramps

Lamb Chops with Lovage and Ramps

 

8 lamb chops

Salt and pepper

1–2 T. olive oil, divided

16 ramps

2 handfuls lovage

½ green apple

1 clove garlic

¼ tsp. chili flakes

 

Salt and pepper the chops generously then throw them on the grill on medium-high heat for 3 minutes on each side. Drizzle olive oil and some salt onto the ramps and grill for 1 to 2 minutes until they are soft and slightly charred. Pulse the lovage, apple, garlic and chili flakes in a food processor until coarse, slowly add the olive oil until you have a thick chimichurri-like sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve the chops with the ramps on the side and a generous drizzle of the sauce.

Duck Breast with Braised Cabbage

Duck Breast with Braised Cabbage

Duck Breast with Braised Cabbage

 

2 ounces duck fat

2 onions, thinly sliced

2 ounces bacon, thinly sliced

1 medium white cabbage, thinly sliced

12 juniper berries, chopped

20 black peppercorns, ground

1 sprig of thyme, chopped

1 bottle white wine

4 duck breast halves

 

Heat duck fat in a sauté pan and cook onions and bacon over medium heat until onions are soft. Add spices. Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to boil and plunge the cabbage into it, removing and draining right away. Add it to onions and cook for 2 minutes. Add wine and stir. Cover pot and simmer for 1½ hours. Start preparing duck breasts 30 minutes before you want to serve. Take a sharp knife and score the skin of the duck breast with three cuts each way across, creating a crisscross pattern. Be sure to not go all the way through the skin to the meat. The purpose of the scoring is to expose the fat to help with rendering. Season with salt and pepper. Render the duck breasts skin-side down in a sauté pan on medium heat, draining off excess fat every 5 minutes. After 20 minutes, the fat cap should be mostly removed, leaving a nicely crisped skin. Flip the breasts over and finish cooking for about 5 minutes. Let the breast rest in a warm place for 5 minutes. Place a mound of braised cabbage on each plate. Slice breasts thinly and place on top of braised cabbage to serve.

BBQ Duck Filled Blue Corn Pancakes with Habañero Sauce

BBQ Duck Filled Blue Corn Pancakes with Habañero Sauce

BBQ Duck Filled Blue Corn Pancakes with Habañero Sauce

2 pounds duck legs (about 6), skin removed

1 cup Mesa Grill BBQ Sauce or your favorite store brand

3 cups Enriched Chicken Stock or lowsodium chicken broth

Habanero Sauce (recipe follows)

3 T. coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

 

½ cup blue cornmeal

½ cup all-purpose flour

tsp. baking powder Pinch of

1 kosher salt

1 large egg, beaten

¾ cup whole milk

2 T. honey

1 T. unsalted butter, melted

 

Nonstick cooking spray

Smoked Red Pepper Sauce

Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish (optional)

 

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Generously brush the duck legs with the barbecue sauce and place them in a baking pan. Pour the stock and ½ cup of the habanero sauce around them. Cover the pan, place in the oven, and cook for about 2 hours, or until the meat begins to fall off the bone.  To make the pancakes, combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, honey, and butter; add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Place a 6-inch nonstick pan over high heat. Spray with cooking spray and reduce the heat to medium. Ladle ¼ cup of the pancake mixture into the pan, swirling to evenly coat the pan with the mixture. Cook the pancake until just set on the first side, about 1 minute. Flip over and cook for an additional 20 to 30 seconds. Remove to a plate and repeat with the remaining mixture, stacking the pancakes and covering them with aluminum foil to keep warm. You should have 8 pancakes.  Remove the duck from the braising liquid and set aside to cool slightly.  Strain the braising liquid and reserve. When the duck is cool enough to handle, shred the duck meat into bite-sized pieces and discard the bones.  Combine the shredded meat with ½ cup of the reserved braising liquid in a sauté pan over medium heat until heated through. Add the chopped cilantro and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mound some of the duck mixture in the center of each pancake. Fold the pancake over the filling to make a semicircle and drizzle with the remaining habanero sauce and the smoked red pepper sauce. Garnish with cilantro leaves.

 

Habanero Sauce

 

10 cups Enriched Chicken Stock or low-sodium chicken broth

1 cup apple juice concentrate, thawed

3 T. dark brown sugar

2 star anise

1 cinnamon stick

½ habanero chile, coarsely chopped

1 T. fennel seeds, toasted

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

 

Combine the stock, apple juice, brown sugar, star anise, cinnamon, habanero, and fennel seeds in a large

saucepan; place over high heat and boil, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 1 cup, about 1 hour. Strain into a bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. This can be made up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated. Warm over low heat before serving.

Herb-Roasted Pheasant

Herb-Roasted Pheasant

Herb-Roasted Pheasant

1 pheasant

¼ bunch of rosemary, divided use

¼ bunch of sage, divided use

¼ lb white truffle butter, melted

1 bunch of escarole

10 Cipollini onions, peeled

4 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced

1/4 cup white wine, or vermouth

1 cup duck and veal demi-glace

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Pick all the herbs so that they are individual leaves, discard stems. Separate 1/2 of the herbs, chop finely and set aside. Using your index finger, carefully separate the pheasant skin from the breasts and thighs, being careful not to tear the skin. Piece by piece, place the whole leaf herbs evenly underneath the skin. Rub the softened truffle butter over the bird so that it forms a shell on the outside. Season well with salt and pepper. Place the bird in a pan on top of the peeled cipollini onions and roast in the oven for 10 minutes at 400 degrees, then lower the oven to 350 degrees for an additional 30 minutes. While the bird is roasting, sauté the escarole with the garlic and season with salt and pepper. You might need to add a little water to make sure the escarole is soft. Deglaze the roasting pan with the white wine or vermouth, then add the demi-glace. Reduce by half and strain, then stir in the minced herbs and season with salt and pepper to taste. Tip: Serve this dish with a side of sweet potato puree. To plate, place a dollop of the sweet potato puree just above the center of each warmed plate, then add the escarole beside it. Slice the meat off the breast of the pheasant (in three lengthwise slices for each breast) and remove the thighs. Place a thigh on each plate, then layer the sliced breast meat on top. Finish with a generous drizzle of sauce and serve with chilled white wine.

Brazilian Style Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Chimichurri

Brazilian Style Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Chimichurri

Brazilian Style Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Chimichurri

 

1 boneless lamb leg, butterflied

 

1 medium sized onion, quartered

4 cloves garlic, peeled

1 bunch scallions, both white and green parts, trimmed

1 bunch fresh cilantro leaves

1 tsp. dried oregano

3 bay leaves

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 C white wine, dry

½ C olive oil

 

¾ C olive oil

3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

½ C parsley

2 cloves garlic

1 bunch scallions, both white and green parts, trimmed

1 T. dried chili

salt and freshly ground black pepper

 

fresh green chili

 

Place all marinade ingredients into a blender and process until slightly coarse. Turn lamb so the bottom faces you. Take netting off leg and cut through halfway down and lay the leg flat. Place leg into a large tray and pour marinade over, rubbing into the meat. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate overnight. Remove lamb from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. For the chimichurri, place all ingredients in a food processor and blend together; do not mix too much. Let stand for 1 hour. While chimichurri is resting, preheat outdoor grill to medium high. Cook lamb for 30 minutes, turning once. Lamb should be cooked medium. Rest lamb for 20 minutes. Serve with a fresh green chili, if desired.

Calabrian Lamb Chops with Tomatoes, Peppers, and Olives (Costolette d’Agnello alla Calabrese)

Calabrian Lamb Chops with Tomatoes, Peppers, and Olives (Costolette d’Agnello alla Calabrese)

Calabrian Lamb Chops with Tomatoes, Peppers, and Olives (Costolette d’Agnello alla Calabrese)

 

1 large red bell pepper

Eight 1-inch-thick lamb rib chops (2–2½ lb.)

Fine sea salt

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil

1⁄2 cup coarsely chopped yellow onion

2 cups peeled, coarsely chopped, ripe plum tomatoes or canned San Marzano tomatoes, with their juices

3 T. coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1⁄4 cup green olives in brine, pitted and coarsely chopped

Freshly ground black pepper

 

Cut the pepper lengthwise along the creases, remove the stem, seeds, pithy core, and skin with a vegetable peeler. Cut into approximately 1½-inch squares. Sprinkle the lamb chops on both sides with a little salt. In a 12-inch skillet set over high heat, add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the lamb. Cook, turning once, until thoroughly browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. To a large skillet over high heat, add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the lamb chops and cook, turning once, until thoroughly browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Turn the heat down to medium-high, add the onion to the skillet, and cook, stirring frequently, until deep golden, 18–22 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices and cook, stirring occasionally, until the juices begin to thicken, 5–8 minutes. Add the peppers, parsley, and olives; season with salt and pepper. Turn the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the peppers are just tender, about 8 minutes more. Season the chops with black pepper, then return them to the skillet . Turn several times until coated, then transfer to a platter and serve.

Sautéed Quail with Black Barley, Beets, and Fig Sauce

Sautéed Quail with Black Barley, Beets, and Fig Sauce

Sautéed Quail with Black Barley, Beets, and Fig Sauce

 

For the Quail and Barley

1⁄2 cup olive oil

1 T. Dijon mustard

5 sprigs rosemary (1 stem removed; 4 left whole)

5 sprigs thyme (1 stem removed; 4 left whole)

2 bay leaves

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 deboned quail (1 lb.)

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup black barley

2 T. unsalted butter

 

For the Fig Sauce and Beets

4 black mission figs, quartered

3 T. red wine

3 T. ruby port

2 T. sugar

1 1⁄2 T. fresh lemon juice

1 shallot, minced

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 1⁄4 lb. golden baby beets, trimmed

6 T. balsamic vinegar

3 T. sherry vinegar

1 bay leaf

1 sprig rosemary

1 sprig thyme

1 clove garlic, smashed and peeled

 

For the quail: In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil with the mustard, rosemary leaves, thyme leaves, bay leaves, and garlic. Add the quail, toss to coat, and cover with plastic wrap. Marinate the quail in the refrigerator for 12 hours. For the barley: In a large saucepan of boiling, salted water, add the barley and cook until al dente, about 30 minutes. Drain and transfer the barley to a bowl, cover, and keep warm. For the beets: In a medium saucepan, combine the remaining 1 T. sugar with the beets, both vinegars, bay leaf, rosemary and thyme sprigs, garlic, and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, and cook until the beets are tender, about 30 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beets to a cutting board and let cool for 5 minutes. Peel and halve the beets, then return them to the cooking liquid. Let the beets stand until cooled to room temperature and then drain from the cooking liquid and toss with the barley in a bowl. Divide the barley and beets between 4 serving plates. In a 12-inch cast-iron skillet, heat the butter over medium-high. Remove the quail from the marinade, and season with salt and pepper. Stuff each quail with 1 rosemary sprig, and then add the quail to the skillet, breast side down, and cook, turning once, until lightly browned and cooked to medium, about 5 minutes. Transfer each quail to a plate on top of the barley and beets, garnish each with a thyme sprig, and serve with the fig sauce on the side.

Port Braised Lamb Shanks

Port Braised Lamb Shanks

Port Braised Lamb Shanks

 

4 lamb shanks, approx 400g/13oz each

Salt and pepper

2 T. olive oil, separated

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 onion, finely chopped (white, brown, yellow)

1 celery stalk, finely chopped (optional, but recommended)

1 carrot, finely chopped (optional, but recommended)

3 T. / 1/4 cup flour (35g)

2 cups beef broth (liquid beef stock) (or sub with chicken broth)

3 cups port

1 1/2 cups red wine , or more beef broth

3 T. / 1/4 cup tomato paste

5 sprigs thyme or 2 tsp dried thyme

3 dried bay leaves (or 5 fresh)

4 stalks fresh parsley (optional)

Fresh parsley, finely chopped, for garnish

 

Season lamb with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a Dutch oven or large heavy based pot over high heat. Add 2 lamb shanks and cook, turning, until browned (see photo). Remove then repeat with remaining lamb. Turn heat down to medium. Add remaining 1 tbsp oil, garlic, onion, carrot and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until onion is softened. Add flour. Mix into onion mixture. Add remaining ingredients. Mix – lumps are ok, they will dissolve while cooking. Add lamb back in – the meat should be mostly submerged. Bring to simmer, then turn heat down to medium low and cover with lid. Simmer for 2 hours then remove lid and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove lamb into a bowl. Optional: Strain sauce in Dutch oven into a bowl. Use spoon to press into onion etc. to squeeze out all the flavorful liquid. Pour sauce into Dutch oven.  Skim excess fat off sauce. Increase heat to medium high and reduce liquid by half or until it thickens to a syrup consistency. Return lamb shanks and juices pooled in the bowl into sauce to reheat, then serve with creamy mashed potato, garnished with parsley. Recipe Notes: Lamb shanks come in all manner of sizes and cuts. Go for lamb shanks of a suitable size per serving, bearing in mind the size of your pot and that they will shrink by about 25% when cooked. Some lamb shanks come with the bone partially cut so they bend to fit into the pot, which is helpful. My lamb shanks were about 400g/13oz each and 4 fit inside a standard Dutch oven, mostly submerged. They don’t need to be full submerged in the liquid as the steam will cook the exposed surface (as well as browning them nicely) and they should be turned while cooking.

Lamb and Halloumi Burger Wraps

Lamb and Halloumi Burger Wraps

Lamb and Halloumi Burgers

 

7 oz. halloumi cheese

16 oz. ground lamb

4 T. mint chopped

salt

pepper

2 cups red cabbage chopped

Boston lettuce 4 large leaves

2 T. olive oil

1 T. apple cider vinegar

4 tsp mayonnaise

 

Grate half of the halloumi cheese, saving the other half for later. In a large bowl add the grated halloumi, ground lamb, mint, salt, and pepper to taste. Combine the mixture well with your hands and form into 4 burger patties. Pre-heat a large skillet pan on a stove set to medium-high, then add in the burgers. Turn the patties occasionally and cook for 15 minutes or until cooked through. Meanwhile, prepare the red cabbage slaw by thinly slicing the red cabbage. Place the cabbage in a bowl then coat well with olive oil and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Slice up the remaining halloumi cheese. Once the burgers have cooked through, add the slices of cheese into the skillet. Turn frequently until the cheese browns on both sides. This should take about 3-4 minutes. Assemble your burgers with a lettuce leaf, burger, red cabbage, halloumi slice and mayonnaise.

Sweet-Tart Duck Breasts with Fresh Cherry Sauce

Sweet-Tart Duck Breasts with Fresh Cherry Sauce

Sweet-Tart Duck Breasts with Fresh Cherry Sauce

 

2 5- to 6-ounce duck breasts

Coarse sea salt, such as Maldon

2 tsp. olive oil

1 small shallot, finely diced

1/2 C. dry red wine

1/4 C. low-sodium chicken stock

7 ounces Bing cherries, pitted, stemmed, and halved

1 T. balsamic vinegar

10 twists on the black pepper mill

1 tsp. honey, preferably orange flower

1/2 T. very cold unsalted butter

 

Take the duck out of the fridge 15 minutes before you want to use it. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Score the fat on top of the duck in a crosshatch fashion, carefully to score only the fat and not the flesh beneath it. Season the duck on all sides with salt. Preheat a small nonstick skillet on medium heat. Place the duck, skin-side-down, in the hot pan and leave it alone for 10 to 12 minutes, until the skin is golden brown and the fat has rendered. Take the pan off the heat and turn the duck breasts over so the bottom of the breasts are coated in the rendered duck fat. Pour the excess fat into a heat-proof container and keep for frying potatoes. Put the duck, skin-side-up in its original sauté pan, in the oven and cook for 10 minutes. The internal temperature will be about 135°F. Let the duck breasts rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes before slicing. To make the cherry sauce, heat a small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil and the shallots. Sauté for 1 minute, just to soften the shallots. Add the wine, stock, and cherries. Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the balsamic vinegar, salt to taste, and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove a 1/4 C. combination of liquid and cherries and purée in a mini food processor. Return the puréed mixture to the pan with the rest of the sauce and stir in the honey and the cold butter. Slice the duck. Pour the sauce onto a serving plate and arrange the slices of duck on top. Season with a bit of salt and pepper for garnish.

Warm Duck and Grilled Apple Salad

Warm Duck and Grilled Apple Salad

Warm Duck and Grilled Apple Salad

 

1 duck leg

2 granny smith apples

1/2 sweet onion

1/4 C. calvados

1/4 C. apple cider

4 sage leaves

2 T. olive oil

salt and pepper

1/4 C. pistachios

2 C. mustard greens (try to get smaller younger ones – the 2 C. is after you have washed them and cut them into ribbons – sans stems)

2 T. unsalted butter

reduced balsamic vinegar to drizzle.

 

Heat the oven to 250. Heat the olive oil in a skillet, and generously salt and pepper the duck leg. Brown the leg on both sides and then remove it to a baking dish. Cut the onion into wedges, and half of one of the apples. Add those to the baking dish. Pour the duck fat from the pan over everything then add the cider and calvados. Lay the sage leaves on top and cover it all tightly with foil, and into the oven. You have probably completely destroyed your stove with fat splatters, you have some time if you’d like to clean up a bit. The duck needs to be in the oven for about 3 hours. You can also toast your pistachios in a dry pan and set them aside while you wait. Also wash your mustard greens and chop them into wide ribbons. When the duck is completely fall apart tender – you can tell when you peek, give it a little poke with a fork – remove it from the oven. Heat the butter in a griddle pan. Cut the other apple into 8 wedges, remove the seeds, then griddle them on both sides until they are just brown but not mushy – you want to keep some texture. Assembly: Lay the greens on a platter. Take the skin off the duck and then use fork to pull the meat away from the bone – avoid the tricky little bones that want to go along. Arrange the duck and apples on top of the greens. Add the onions from the duck pan, then drizzle with a couple of T. of pan drippings and balsamic vinegar and sprinkle the pistachios on top.

Asian Hot Pot of Bison Tenderloin and Homemade Udon Noodles

Asian Hot Pot of Bison Tenderloin and Homemade Udon Noodles

Asian Hot Pot of Bison Tenderloin and Homemade Udon Noodles

3 C. All Purpose Flour

1 T. Salt

1 cup Water

 

4 oz White Miso

32 oz Beef Broth

1 cup rehydrated mushrooms

1 tsp. grated fresh ginger

1 stalk lemon grass (bruised and chopped)

2 cloves fresh garlic (crushed)

1 bunch Cilantro stems, chopped

 

2 tsp. Fish sauce

4 T. soy sauce

2 T. rice wine vinegar.

2 T. mirin

1 tsp. sriracha

 

Pickled Diakon

Thin Sliced Jalapeno

Cleaned Cilantro Leaves

Chives or Green Onions

Thin Sliced Avocado

Poached Quail Egg

Cooked Bison Tenderloin Strips

 

Incorporate flour, salt and water; mix well, Kneed for 5 minutes, add to rolling salted water, cook until tender. Immediately ice bath once they are complete.

 

Thinly slice 2 lb. bison tenderloin and marinate in 16oz water, 1 T. Chili Oil, 2 T. Soy Sauce, 2 Garlic Cloves.

 

Bring ingredients (white miso to garlic) to a full simmer, add cilantro, re-season. And continue to simmer for 15 minutes. Add ingredients (fish sauce to sriracha) to broth, one at t time, stirring between. While stock is simmering, adjust seasoning.  Quickly stir fry bison to desired doneness.  Begin to add the ingredients to the soup – 2 ounces of Udon Noodles, 3 ounces of broth, 3 slices of avocado, 3 slices of jalapeno. 1 poached quail egg, 2 slices of pickled diakon, a few sprigs of cilantro, and a sprinkle of scallion. Make sure you add 2 ounces of Fully cooked Sliced Bison tenderloin to finish your Asian Hot Pot.

Roasted Rabbit with Basque Txakoli Wine Sauce

Roasted Rabbit with Basque Txakoli Wine Sauce

Roasted Rabbit with Basque Txakoli Wine Sauce

 

Txakoli (pronounced “chac-o-lee”) is a slightly sparkling, bright white wine produced in the Basque region of Spain that brings out the rich flavors of the rabbit in this dish. If you can’t find the traditional wine, you can substitute a semi-sparkling variety. Be careful not to overroast this dish; rabbit is a lean meat that can easily become dry. 2 large yellow onions, cut into ¼-inch slices

1 whole rabbit, cleaned, with liver and kidneys reserved

Salt

2 T. minced garlic

1 T. minced flat-leaf (Italian) parsley

5 garlic cloves, peeled

6 small red potatoes, halved

½ C. olive oil

2 T. unsalted butter

¼ C. flour

2 C. txakoli wine

1 T. black peppercorns, freshly crushed

1 C. rabbit stock or chicken stock

 

PREHEAT THE OVEN to 400°F. LINE THE BOTTOM of a roasting pan with the onion slices. Split the rabbit wide open and place it on the onion slices, belly up. Sprinkle with salt, half of the minced garlic, and half of the parsley. Put the garlic cloves, liver, kidneys, and potatoes around the rabbit. Drizzle ¼ C. of the oil over the entire contents of the pan. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes. REMOVE THE PAN from the oven and turn the rabbit over. Sprinkle with more salt and the remaining garlic, parsley, and oil. Return the pan to the oven and roast until golden, about 30 minutes. AFTER ROASTING, remove the rabbit body and the potatoes from the pan. Cut the rabbit into quarters and arrange on a platter with the potatoes. Cover with foil and keep warm. MEANWHILE, place the roasting pan on top of the stove over medium-high heat. Add the butter and caramelize the onions, kidneys, and liver until dark brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the flour, mixing well. Deglaze the pan with the wine. Season to taste with salt and add the crushed peppercorns. Add the stock and cook, stirring, for 15 minutes or until reduced by a quarter. Transfer to a food processor or food mill and purée. Adjust the seasoning if needed. Strain through a colander, then drizzle over the platter of rabbit. Serve immediately.

Duck Tart with Cherry Jam and Goat Cheese

Duck Tart with Cherry Jam and Goat Cheese

Duck Tart with Cherry Jam and Goat Cheese

12 oz Flour

6 1/2 oz Shortening

2 1/2 oz Water (cold)

1/2 tsp. Salt

 

1/2 oz Sugar

1 T. Shallots, sliced

1 cup Dried Cherries

1 3/4 cups Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 cup Sugar

1 1/2 T. Honey

 

1 Boneless Duck Breast

1/4 cup Shallots, sliced

1 T. Olive Oil

3 T. Balsamic Vinegar

Salt & Pepper, to taste

1/4 cup Goat Cheese

2 T. Parsley, fried

 

Mix shortening into flour until fine. Add remaining ingredients and mix until combined. More flour may be added if mixture is too sticky. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Roll dough to 1/8″ think. Grease a small 4-inch tart or pie pan with non-stick coating. Gently press dough into pan and cut away any excess. Using a fork, poke holes in the dough and cover with parchment paper. Pour dried beans or pie weights in dish. Bake tart crust in 375 degree oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown. When cooled, remove crust from dish and set aside. Cherry Jam: Combine the first five ingredients together in saucepan. Reduce over medium heat until almost dry. Place ingredients in food processor, add honey and puree for 5 minutes. Duck Filling:  Heat olive oil in a skillet over moderate heat, Season duck breast with salt and pepper. Sear duck breast, skin side down until a crispy golden brown. Turn duck over and continue to cook until medium. Remove from pan and let cool. Add onions to skillet and sauté until slightly caramelized. Add balsamic vinegar and reduce until almost dry. Remove from heat and let cool. Thinly slice duck breast and add to the cooled onion mixture. Toss until combined. Assembly:  Spread 1 tablespoon of cherry jam into each tart shell. Crumble 1/3 of the goat cheese into the tart shell. Add duck mixture to the tart and top with remaining cheese. Melt cheese in 300 degree oven. Remove from oven, garnish with cherry jam and fried parsley.

Roast Pheasant

Roast Pheasant

Roast Pheasant

 

1/3 cup dry red wine

3 T. red wine or balsamic vinegar

2 T. shallots, minced

1/4 cup olive oil

1 T. granulated sugar

1 T. minced garlic

1 T. dry mustard

1 tsp. finely chopped fresh oregano

1 T.​ finely chopped fresh basil

1 T. finely chopped fresh marjoram

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

For the Pheasant:

 

1 (2- to 3-pound) whole pheasant, preferably farm-raised

1/4 tsp. salt, optional

1 small onion, halved

 

In a large zip-top plastic bag, combine wine (or water), vinegar, shallots, olive oil, sugar, garlic, dry mustard, oregano, basil, marjoram, 1 tsp. salt, and pepper until well mixed. Sprinkle salt in the inside cavity of the pheasant, if desired. Place the whole bird in the marinade, moving it around so the marinade reaches all parts of the bird. Refrigerate it for 30 minutes. Heat the oven to 325 F. Remove the pheasant from marinade, but do not rinse it off. Place bird in a lidded roasting pan that is just slightly bigger than the bird. Place bird, breast-side up in the roasting pan. Place the halved onion in the cavity of the bird. Cover and roast for 30 minutes. Remove the lid, baste bird and let it continue to roast for approximately 30 more minutes without the lid so it will brown. The pheasant is done when the thighs move easily and the juices run clear. Remove the pheasant and allow the meat to rest for at least 5 minutes before carving and serving.  Serving Suggestions: As with most poultry, pheasant benefits from an accompaniment of a chutney such as pickled raisins when serving. You can serve your pheasant with side dishes such as roasted potatoes or rice pilaf and steamed or roasted vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower.

Spiced Lamb and Couscous Stuffed Peppers

Spiced Lamb and Couscous Stuffed Peppers

Spiced Lamb and Couscous Stuffed Peppers

6 -8 red bell peppers look for similar sizes and shapes so they cook evenly

12 ounces ground lamb

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. allspice

1/4 tsp. cardamom

1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

olive oil

1/2 onion minced

3 cloves garlic minced

1/2 C. pine nuts

2 C. cooked couscous I cook mine in chicken stock for extra flavor

1/4 C. currants

1/2 C. crumbled feta cheese

salt and fresh cracked black pepper

pomegranate molasses optional

1 C. crushed tomatoes or any plain tomato sauce

Yogurt mint sauce

1 C. yogurt

1/2 C. mint leaves

juice of 1 lemon

 

Preheat oven to 350F. Slice the tops off your peppers and reserve. Remove the seeds and veins from the insides of the peppers. Brown the ground lamb and the spices in a skillet, breaking apart the meat as you cook. After it is well crumbled and no longer pink, remove it to a plate. Add a drizzle of olive oil to the pan and sauté the onions and garlic for a few minutes, until translucent. Remove to the plate with the lamb. Add the pine nuts to the pan and toast, stirring almost constantly, until they turn golden. Add a touch of olive oil if the pan is dry. Add back the meat and onions to the pan, along with the cooked couscous, currants, and feta. Mix well, and season with salt and pepper to taste. I like to drizzle in a little pomegranate molasses, if you have some, but it’s optional. Pour the tomato sauce into the bottom of a casserole dish that just fits your peppers. Arrange the peppers on top. Fill each pepper with the filling, pressing down slightly to insure each one is completely filled. Mound the filling up a bit at the top. Replace the tops loosely on the peppers. Cover the casserole dish and peppers with a sheet of foil. Crimp the foil along the sides of the pan so the peppers can steam. Bake for about one hour and 20 minutes, removing the foil for the last 20 minutes. The peppers should be tender and slightly browned. Serve with yogurt mint sauce on the side. To make the yogurt mint sauce, blend the ingredients together in a small food processor.

Cast-Iron Duck

Cast-Iron Duck

Cast-Iron Duck

4 duck breasts

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Canola oil

 

With sharp knife, trim excess fat and sinew from breasts and score skin in a crosshatch pattern, being very careful not to cut into muscle. Pat the duck dry with paper towels.  (The less moisture the better: it will result in crisper skin—and crisp skin is essential.) Season breasts with salt and pepper. Heat well-seasoned, cast-iron skillet over medium heat for about 3 minutes.  Using spray bottle, lightly coat pan with oil. Gently lay breasts into pan, skin side down; resist the urge to move them around, as you’ll want them to brown. Once you’ve achieved a golden brown skin, using tongs, flip the breasts away from yourself, using easy motions so you don’t splash hot oil on yourself. Cook for another 3 minutes. Remove the breasts to a resting rack and loosely cover with foil. Letting the meat rest will allow juices to redistribute throughout meat. After about 5 minutes, with skin side up, slice breasts on a bias. Fan meat over a tasty side dish such as Red Flannel Hash and enjoy.

Tuscan Rabbit Ragu with Papparedelle

Tuscan Rabbit Ragu with Papparedelle

Tuscan Rabbit Ragu with Papparedelle

3 T. olive oil

2-3 pounds hare legs, or lamb or beef stew meat

Salt

2 cups chopped onion

1 cup minced carrot

1 cup minced celery

2 T. sage leaves, chopped

2 T. rosemary, chopped

2 bay leaves

1 handful dried porcini mushrooms, about 1 ounce, chopped

2 T. tomato paste

2 T. red wine vinegar

1 28- ounce can crushed tomatoes

1 cup red wine

Parsley and grated cheese to garnish

 

If you need to soak the jackrabbit pieces, submerge them in buttermilk overnight. The next day, hack them into large pieces with a cleaver or kitchen shears. This will make them cook faster and fall off the bone easier. Rinse the hare under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the hare pieces well. Take your time and do this in batches. Don’t let the pieces touch each other as they brown. Salt them as they cook. When browned, set aside.

When the meat has been browned, add the onion, carrot and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies begin to brown. Add the meat back to the pot, then the sage, rosemary, bay leaves and dried mushrooms. Mix well and allow to cook for a minute. Whisk together the tomato paste and wine and add that to the pot. Add the vinegar. Turn the heat to high to bring everything to a boil, then add the can of crushed tomatoes. Mix well, drop the heat to a bare simmer — only a few bubbles coming up to the surface — cover and let this cook until the hare meat wants to fall off the bone, up to 3 1/2 hours. When the meat is tender, fish out the bay leaves and discard. Remove the hare pieces and pull the meat from the bones. Return it to the pot. Ladle out about 1/3 to 1/2 of the sauce and put it into a food mill with a medium grate attached. Alternately, put it into a food processor or blender. Puree, meat and all. If you use a food mill you will have some dry, stringy hare meat left in the mill; discard or feed to your pets. Return the puree to the pot. Serve with pasta of your choice. I serve by putting the pasta in a large bowl, tossing it with a ladle of the sauce, then plating. I top each plate with some more sauce, then some parsley and some grated pecorino cheese.

 

Yield: 8 servings

Calories: 267 (not including pasta)

Fat: 8g

Fiber: 4g

Seared Duck Breast with Huckleberry Gastrique

Seared Duck Breast with Huckleberry Gastrique

Seared Duck Breast with Huckleberry Gastrique

 

4 individual duck breasts, skin on, about 6-8 oz. each, patted dry

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

2 cups fruity, low-tannin zinfandel

1 1/2 cups huckleberries, fresh or frozen

1 cup roast chicken or duck stock

1 cup veal stock (I used 1/2 cup roast chicken stock and 1/2 cup beef stock)

sea salt

freshly ground black pepper

 

Use a sharp knife to score the duck skin of each breast in a criss cross pattern, about a 1-inch grid. Lightly salt the duck breasts on both sides and set aside. In a small nonreactive saucepan, combine the sugar and red wine vinegar. Set over medium heat and stir to dissolve the sugar, then let the mixture boil until it reduces to about a third of the original volume. [The fumes will be quite potent, so open a window and run your hood vent.] When the liquid becomes syrupy enough that a spatula dragged across the bottom of the pan leaves a part for a second, remove from heat and set the vinegar syrup aside. In a larger saucepan, combine the wine and 1/2 cup of the huckleberries. Set over medium high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the liquid until it is thick and syrupy (about 15-20 minutes for me). Add both stocks to the pan. Reduce the liquid by half (about 15-20 minutes). Stir half of the vinegar syrup into the sauce. Add more to taste until you achieve the right balance between sweet and sour. Stir in the rest of the huckleberries. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Heat a large sauté pan over high heat. When the pan is hot, place the duck breasts, skin-side down, in the pan in a single layer, taking care not to crowd them. Reduce the heat to medium and cook the duck, basting the tops of the duck breasts with the fat from the pan on occasion, until the skins are browned and crisp. Turn the breasts over and cook for another minute until seared. Remove the breasts from the stove and place each one skin-side down on the baking sheet. Bake in the oven for four minutes or until the duck is rare to medium rare. Medium rare should register 135°F on a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast. Remove from oven and let the duck breasts rest on a plate for a few minutes. Slice each breast and serve with the huckleberry gastrique. Serves 4.

Tatanka-style Bison Tacos with Fiery Garlic Sauce

Tatanka-style Bison Tacos with Fiery Garlic Sauce

Tatanka-style Bison Tacos with Fiery Garlic Sauce

 

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 pound ground bison meat

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

Kosher salt

16 (6-inch) corn tortillas

8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (2 cups)

1 small white onion, finely diced

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

2 cups shredded romaine lettuce

Fiery Garlic Sauce (recipe follows)

 

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. When hot, add 1 tablespoon of the oil, then crumble the meat into the pan. Add the pepper, garlic, and salt to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat another large skillet over medium-high heat. Brush the skillet with some of the remaining oil, then add two corn tortillas, topping one with 3 tablespoons of the cheese and the other with just 1 tablespoon of cheese. Cook until the cheese is melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the cheesiest tortilla to a plate, then top with the second tortilla, some of the meat, and some of the onion, tomatoes, lettuce, and garlic sauce. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, serving them piping hot.

 

 

Fiery Garlic Sauce

 

8 large garlic cloves, peeled and smashed

3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons Asian chile-garlic sauce (sriracha)

2 teaspoons chunky Thai-style chile sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

 

Blend the garlic, vinegar, and chili-garlic sauce in a blender or food processor until smooth. Add the chili sauce and sugar, blend briefly, and transfer to a serving bowl. Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month

Glazed Braised Goat Shanks

Glazed Braised Goat Shanks

Glazed Braised Goat Shanks

4 (l-pound) goat shanks

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 large onion, chopped

5 carrots, peeled and chopped

5 stalks celery, chopped

4 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

3/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1 bay leaf

1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste

3 C. white wine

2 C. chicken broth

 

Heat a large pot with an ovenproof lid over medium-high heat. Pat the goat shanks dry’. Add the oil to the pot, then two of the shanks, and cook until browned on all sides, turning a few times, about 15 minutes total. Transfer the shanks to a plate and repeat with the remaining shanks. While the shanks sear, preheat the oven to 325°F. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot; salt and pepper to taste; and cook until the vegetables are soft, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Stir in the thyme, bay leaf, and tomato paste; then add the wine and broth; and bring the mixture to a simmer. Slide the seared goat shanks into the pot, cover, and cook for 2 hours, turning once during braising. Transfer the meat to a large platter and tent with foil. Carefully strain the braising liquid, discarding the solids, and return the liquid to the pot. Bring the liquid to a strong simmer over high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced to the consistency of maple syrup, about 15 minutes. Return the shanks to the pan one at a time, rolling them each in the sauce to coat them, and serve hot, drizzled with the remaining sauce.

Confit de Canard

Confit de Canard

Confit de Canard

This recipe is adapted from Cuisine de France by Paul Bocuse (Flammarion, 1992).

 

2 duck legs

1/2 cup coarse sea salt or kosher salt

1 cup (250 g) rendered duck fat, or more

2 cloves garlic, unpeeled

2 branches fresh thyme

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup water

 

The day before you plan to cook the duck, place the legs in a bowl and cover them with the coarse salt. Refrigerate for 24 hours.  The next day, thoroughly rinse the salt off the duck under cold running water. Place on a rack to drain and pat dry with paper towels. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or skillet, heat the duck fat, garlic, thyme, bay and water to a high simmer. Place the duck legs in the hot fat, skin side down. Turn down the heat — the fat should remain at a very low simmer throughout the cooking process. Check the duck occasionally to make sure the fat is simmering but not boiling. After an hour, turn the legs over so that they are skin side up, being very careful not to pierce the skin. Allow to cook at a low simmer for one hour more. Turn off the heat and remove the legs to a rack to drain. Strain the fat through a sieve into a bowl. Place the browned bits and garlic that remain in the sieve in a separate small bowl. Discard the thyme and bay leaf. When the duck has cooled, place it in a dish, cover with the strained duck fat and refrigerate. When the fat has cooled sufficiently, use a knife or spatula to spread it over the duck. You may continue with the recipe later in the day or leave the duck in the fridge for a day until ready to complete the cooking process. (If you are preparing your confit well ahead of time, you can preserve it in a large glass jar, sealed with the fat. In this case the fat must entirely cover the duck. It may be preserved in this way for up to 6 months, refrigerated.)  About 40 minutes before serving, preheat the oven to gas mark 7 (425 F, 220 C). Allow to preheat for 10 minutes.  Remove the duck from its dish or jar, scraping away most of the fat, and place in a baking dish, skin side down. Roast the duck in the hot oven for 15 minutes. Turn the legs over so that they are skin side up. Continue roasting for another 15 minutes, or until the skin is a crispy brown. Serve immediately, accompanied with seasonal vegetables and a hearty red wine. Serves 2. You may use the garlic cloves that you’ve set aside as garnish. The brown bits left over from cooking — known as ‘grattons’ in French — may be spread on toast and served during cocktail hour.

Braised Lamb or Goat with Juniper Berries, Fennel and Sage

Braised Lamb or Goat with Juniper Berries, Fennel and Sage

Braised Lamb or Goat with Juniper Berries, Fennel and Sage

1-1/2 C. dry red wine

2 pounds lamb stew meat (or try goat—see Kitchen Notes)

salt and freshly ground black pepper

olive oil

1 medium red onion, thinly sliced (about 2-1/2 to 3 C.)

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 C. finely chopped celery (about 1 rib)

2 T. chopped fresh sage

10 juniper berries, finely crushed with a mortar and pestle

1/2 tsp. fennel seeds, crushed with a mortar and pestle

2 T. tomato paste

water

2 bay leaves

juice of 1/2 lemon

2 T. chopped Italian parsley

 

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Bring wine to boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer until wine is reduced to 3/4 C., about 7 to 10 minutes (if you overdo the reduction, just add unreduced wine to bring it up to 3/4 C.). Set aside. Meanwhile, pat lamb chunks dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat a Dutch oven or other heavy oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 T. olive oil to pot; when it begins to shimmer, brown lamb chunks on all sides, working in batches. Transfer browned lamb to plate. You may need to drizzle in a little more oil between batches.  Reduce heat to medium and sauté onions with a little salt (again, you may need to add a little oil) until just softened, 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, celery, sage and crushed juniper berries and fennel seeds and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes. Add wine, 3/4 C. of water, tomato paste and bay leaves and stir, scraping up browned bits. Return lamb and any accumulated juices to the pot and bring to boil. If necessary, add a little more water, but don’t make it too soupy. Remove from heat, cover with lid and place in oven. Braise for about 1-1/2 hours, until meat is almost tender. Finish cooking on the stovetop over low heat for about 1/2 hour. If sauce is too liquid, leave the lid slightly ajar so it will reduce. Conversely, if it gets too dry, add water, a little at a time. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and transfer to individual plates or a serving dish. Top with chopped parsley.  Note: Lamb? Goat? Yes. You know how every country but the United States calls soccer football? Same deal with eating goat and lamb—it seems everyone but us does it, with gusto. In fact, 70 percent of the red meat consumed in the world is goat meat. So what does everyone else know that we don’t? Maybe it’s that goat is lighter and healthier than beef, with a slightly sweet flavor.

Rabbit and Bacon Pie

Rabbit and Bacon Pie

1 rabbit, skinned, gutted and cleaned
1 medium onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 celery root, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 sprig fresh sage
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 sprig fresh rosemary
2 bay leaves
1 1/4 C. chicken stock
1 1/4 C. cider
salt and pepper
2 T. butter
5 strips thick-cut streaky bacon, cut into small matchsticks
1 leek (whites with trimmed greens), finely sliced
2 T. flour
2 T. fresh parsley, chopped

4 sheets (approx. 2 lb.) puff pastry
1 egg, beaten

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Season the rabbit inside and out with salt and place in a Dutch oven. Add onion, carrot, celery root, garlic, herbs, stock, and cider. Season the whole thing with pepper. Cover and cook in the oven for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and remove only the rabbit from the dish to a cutting board. Cut or pull off all the meat, discarding the bones. Cut the meat into small chunks and return them to the Dutch oven with the vegetables. In a frying pan, melt butter and fry the bacon for five minutes until lightly browned. Add the leeks and let them sweat for 5 minutes until soft. Sprinkle in the flour (or, if you are gluten-free, your own thickening agent, such as arrowroot), stir well, and cook together for two minutes. Add the bacon and leeks to the Dutch oven and bring to a boil and simmer for five minutes. Add the chopped parsley, stir, and remove from heat. Check the seasoning and allow to cool somewhat. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the inside of 4-inch ramekins or springform pans. Roll out a sheet of the pastry on a well-floured surface to about the thickness of a tea towel (3 mm or .1″). Cut big enough squares to fill each baking dish or pan, with a little bit of dough hanging over the side; trim corners. Fill the pies with the rabbit-bacon filling. Cut another piece of pastry for the lid of each pie, letting a little hang over the edge; trim corners. With floured hands, pinch the edges of the lids to the edges of the pastry lining (I pinched together and rolled in toward the center of the pie) to make sure they are well-sealed together. Cut a couple of small slits into, or stick your fork through, the top of each pie a couple of times to allow steam to escape. Brush the lid of each pie with the beaten egg. Bake for 35 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown. Serve hot.

Peppery Ducks Steaks & Parsley Salad

Peppery Ducks Steaks & Parsley Salad

1 Muscovy duck breast (about 1 pound)
1 tsp. salt
4 garlic cloves, smashed to a paste, with a little salt
1 tsp. coarsely crushed peppercorns
Parsley salad (recipe follows)

With a sharp knife, remove the tenderloin from the underside of the duck breast and reserve for another purpose. Trim any ragged bits or gristle. Turn the breast over and trim any excess fat from the edges. Score the skin by making shallow diagonal cuts, 1/2 inch apart, in one direction and then repeating in the other direction, creating a diamond pattern. Season on both sides with the salt, then massage with the garlic paste. Press the crushed peppercorns evenly over both sides. Put the duck on a platter and leave to marinate for at least 1 hour at room temperature, or refrigerate overnight (if the latter, bring to room temperature before cooking).. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. After 5 minutes, when the pan is hot, carefully add the duck breast skin side down and let it begin to sizzle. Using tongs, check to see that the skin is not browning too quickly, and reduce the heat as necessary. Be careful: The duck breast will render a fair amount of hot fat. The skin should be golden and crisp after 6 or 7 minutes. Turn the breast over and cook for 2 minutes more. Remove to a carving board and let rest for 10 minutes. (When the rendered duck fat has cooled a bit, strain into a jar and save for future use). Cut at an angle into 1/4-inch-thick slices and arrange on a platter. Top with the parsley salad and serve. Serves 2 to 4.

To make the parsley salad:

1 large bunch flat-leaf parsley
2 tsp. lemon juice
Salt and pepper
1 small garlic clove, minced
2 tsp. olive oil
A chunk of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for shaving (optional)

Pick the parsley leaves from the stems—you want about 2 C. Wash and gently dry with a clean towel. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste, garlic and olive oil. The parsley leaves must be dressed at the very last minute. Season with a sprinkle of salt, then toss with the dressing to coat lightly and serve in a fluffy pile. Garnish with shavings of Parmesan, if desired

Paidaka (Grilled Lamb Cutlets)

Paidaka (Grilled Lamb Cutlets)

2 ¼ lb. Lamb Cutlets, untrimmed
1/4 C. Olive Oil
Juice of 2 Lemons
1 tsp. dried Oregano
1 Garlic clove, crushed
Salt and Pepper
Alatopiperigano for serving (salt, pepper, oregano mix)
Lemon Wedges, for serving

Rinse cutlets and place in a dish. In a small bowl mix the oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper. Spoon 4 tsp. over the cutlets, massage into meat, cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest for an hour. Preheat grill to hot. Grill 4 inches from coal until deep brown and crusty looking here and there on both sides, but not dried out, basting often with remaining marinade. Remove to a platter, scatter with alatopiperigano and serve with lemon wedges. For a greek meal, the table should include tzatziki, fava, greek salad, grilled bread, and some spicy feta (tirokaferi).

Rabbit Stew with Olives & Rosemary

Rabbit Stew with Olives & Rosemary

1/4 C. plus 2 T. extra-virgin olive oil
Two 3-pound rabbits, each cut into 10 pieces
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 C. dry red wine
1 onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
2 T. tomato paste
4 rosemary sprigs, tied into 2 bundles with kitchen string
4 C. chicken stock or low-sodium broth
1/2 pound Niçoise olives (1 1/2 C.)

In a large, deep skillet, heat 2 T. of the olive oil. Season the rabbit with salt and pepper. Working in 2 batches, brown the rabbit over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, until crusty all over, about 10 minutes; lower the heat to moderate for the second batch. Transfer the rabbit to a large plate. Add the wine to the skillet and cook over moderately high heat, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Pour the wine into a cup; wipe out the skillet. Add the remaining 1/4 C. of olive oil to the skillet. Add the onion, carrot and celery and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the tomato paste and rosemary bundles and cook, stirring, until the tomato paste begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the rabbit and any accumulated juices along with the reserved wine to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until sizzling, about 3 minutes. Add 2 C. of the stock, season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover partially and cook over low heat for 30 minutes. Add the olives and the remaining 2 C. of stock and cook until the sauce is slightly reduced and the rabbit is tender, about 20 minutes longer. Discard the rosemary bundles. Serve the rabbit in shallow bowls.

Classic Roast Canvasback with Fried Hominy

Classic Roast Canvasback with Fried Hominy

There is no substitute for canvasback duck. It is a unique taste in the animal world, one you cannot replicate with a domestic duck or even another worthy wild duck, like a mallard or pintail. That is not to say you cannot do this with any of these lesser stand-ins, but be prepared to be in awe when you finally get the chance, someday, to taste the real thing.

As for the other things on this plate, white hominy grits are easily bought in much of this country, but California (where I live) is not one of them. So I use polenta instead. Any breadcrumbs are fine. For the fat I went authentic and fried the little cakes in lard, but I would only recommend this if you can get fresh-rendered lard. Never use the hydrogenated stuff that needs not be refrigerated. Use butter instead. Keep in mind you need to make the hominy a few hours ahead to let it cool.

Red currant jelly is sold in many supermarkets, but you can use any red fruit jelly really. I used chokecherry syrup from Montana, but cherry syrup or jelly would be ideal, as would cranberry jelly or syrup. You are looking for red and tart.

I use glace de viande for my pan sauces, and so should you. You can either use my recipe for duck demi-glace and make it yourself, or you can buy it online.

Serve this with a bitter green salad, dressed with a light coating of walnut oil and white wine vinegar, and serve with a big, burly red wine. This would be the time to break out the Bordeaux.

Classic Roast Canvasback with Fried Hominy

1 cup finely ground hominy or polenta
Salt
5 cups water
1 canvasback duck or other whole duck, plucked and gutted
1/4 cup butter or duck fat, divided
1 egg, beaten
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 shallot, minced
1/3 cup red currant jelly or syrup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup demi-glace (or 1 cup stock reduced to 1/4 cup)
A dash of hot sauce

Make the hominy by bringing the water and about a tablespoon of salt to a boil. Start stirring the water and pour the hominy grits into the water in a steady stream. Turn the heat to low and cook this for at least 20 minutes, and up to an hour, stirring occasionally. Turn out the grits into a loaf pan or other small, high-sided container and let cool for at least 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 500°F, or if your oven won’t get that high, as high as it will go. This would be the time to fire up the pizza oven, if you have one. Pat the canvasback dry with a paper towel and salt the inside. Smear duck fat or butter all over the bird and salt it well on the outside. Let this sit at room temperature for at least 2o minutes, while your oven heats up. Meanwhile, turn the cooled hominy grits out onto a cutting board and slice off the side that had been exposed to air. Cut the rest into shapes of your choice. Get a bowl with your egg ready, and another bowl for the breadcrumbs. Put the canvasback in an oven-proof pan — I use a cast-iron pan — and set the timer for 18 minutes. Once you do this, put the remaining butter or lard into a frying pan and heat it on medium-high. As soon as it is hot, dredge the hominy grits in egg, then the breadcrumbs and fry in the lard until golden. Set aside on a paper towel to drain. At the 10-minute mark of roasting, baste the canvasback with some butter or duck fat. When it is done to your liking, take the duck out, remove it from the hot pan and set it on the cutting board tented loosely with foil. A medium-rare duck will be about 18 minutes, medium 20-22, and don’t go past 25 minutes unless the canvasback is really fatty. Domestic ducks will need this extra time. Look for a temperature in the breast of about 135-140°F. As the duck is resting, make sure you have at least 2 tablespoons of fat in the pan you roasted the bird in. Set this on the stove over medium heat. Be careful, as the pan will be hot. Add the shallots and sauté for 2 minutes, or until they begin to brown. Add the remaining sauce ingredients and any salt if needed. Bring this to a rolling boil and let it cook down until a wooden spoon dragged through it leaves a noticeable trail. You want a thick consistency, but not so much as syrup or gravy. Carve the canvasback (save the carcass for duck stock) and add any juices to the sauce. Pour some sauce on the plate, add a hominy cake or two and top with the duck. Serve at once.

Pan-Roasted Rabbit

Pan-Roasted Rabbit

1 medium Rabbit
3 oz. Bacon, diced
2 sprigs Rosemary
7 cloves Garlic
2/4 – 1 C. White Wine
8 T. EVOO
White Vinegar
Salt and Pepper to taste

Divide rabbit into pieces. Slip into white vinegar for some moments, pat dry with paper towels and place into frying pan without any fat added. Roast for several minutes over medium heat, turning once. Remove from pan and set aside temporarily. Wash and dry pan. Add olive oil to clean pan; add diced bacon and 2 cloves garlic, minced, rosemary and 5 cloves garlic, whole. Return rabbit pieces to the pan. Add white wine, and salt and pepper to taste. Lower the flame to low and continue to cook partially covered (lid ajar) until meat is tender.

Pheasant Confit

Pheasant Confit

6 Pheasant legs
1/2 C. Kosher Salt
Zest of 1 orange
5 Cloves
5 Sprigs of fresh thyme
1 T. freshly cracked black pepper
5 Juniper berries, crushed
4 liquid C. Grape seed oil (Or Olive oil or duck fat)

Place pheasant legs snugly in baking dish. Add salt evenly on top. Add the orange zest, cloves, thyme, juniper berries, and pepper. Rub seasoning evenly into every surface of pheasant legs. Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, the longer the legs are allowed to cure the saltier they will be, and the longer they will preserve. Once the cure is finished, rinse the legs and baking dish. Return rinsed legs to baking dish and cover with the grape seed oil. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Cook for 4 to 6 hours, or until the meat falls off of the bone. Strain and save oil for later use. Serve legs warm or room temperature on a salad

Oreja de Cerdo Frita (Crispy Pigs Ears)

Oreja de Cerdo Frita (Crispy Pigs Ears)

If you are feeling adventurous and can come by pigs’ ears (you can ask your butcher to special order them for you), I truly hope you will make this recipe—not only because the texture is unlike anything you have ever had before, but because the boiling liquid is infused with a depth of spices that can be tasted in each crunchy morsel. Just think of this dish as a kind of pork crackling and you will have no problem crunching away!

2 T. Annatto Seeds
4 cloves Garlic, crushed
2 T. Mexican Oregano
Salt
2 Pigs’ Ears
Canola Oil, For Frying

Fill a large saucepan halfway with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and add the annatto seeds, garlic, oregano, and 2 tablespoons salt. Place the pigs’ ears into the water and cover the pot. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 hours, or until the cartilage can be pierced easily with a fork. Remove from the water to a plate and let the ears cool completely. (Don’t place them on paper towels, as the gelatinous skin will stick and you will be unable to remove the paper.) Cut the pigs’ ears into 1/8- to 1/4-inch (3- to 6-cm) -wide noodle-like strips. Fill a deep pan with l 1/2 inches (4 cm) of oil and heat it to 350°F (175°C). Line a plate with paper towels or parchment paper and have it ready. Carefully slip the pig ear strips into the oil, making sure they don’t stick to each other. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until completely crisp. Remove them from the oil using a slotted spoon, place on the paper towel-lined plate, and immediately season with salt. Serve immediately.

Fig Preserve Glazed Quail

Fig Preserve Glazed Quail

1 (2.25-pound) butternut squash, halved and seeded
1 T. olive oil, plus more for rub
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. crushed red pepper
¼ tsp. ground black pepper
1 T. honey
¼ tsp. grated fresh nutmeg
â…› tsp. ground allspice
4 semi-boneless quail
Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
1½ to 2 C. Herbed Cauliflower Couscous (recipe follows)
Louisiana Fig Glaze (recipe follows)
Cane Vinegar Fennel (recipe follows)
Bacon Marmalade (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 375°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Drizzle flesh of squash with oil, and season with salt and peppers. Place squash, cut side down, on prepared pan. Roast until squash is tender, 45 to 60 minutes. Let stand until cool enough to handle. Scoop out flesh into the work bowl of a food processor. Add honey, nutmeg, and allspice; process until smooth. Adjust consistency with either water or olive oil, if necessary. Taste, and add additional salt and peppers, if desired. Set aside. Spray grill rack with nonflammable cooking spray. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (350° to 400°). Preheat oven to 400°. Lay quail on a cutting board, and straighten skin and limbs. (This allows for better grilling and presentation.) Pat dry with paper towels. Pin wings back at joints, and by gently tucking at joints, and skewer. Repeat with legs, crossing at the ankle and skewering to hold shape. Rub outside of quail with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Pick your presentation side (the prettier of the two sides), and place it on the grill first, making sure as much of the surface area of the bird is touching the grill as possible. Turn, and repeat procedure. Let quail stand until cool enough to handle. Fill cavities with Herbed Cauliflower Couscous. Place quail in a cast-iron skillet, and brush with Louisiana Fig Glaze. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 165°. Remove from oven, and glaze again. On serving plates, add a spoonful of butternut squash and Cane Vinegar Fennel; top with a quail. Add Bacon Marmalade, and serve.

Herbed Cauliflower Couscous

3 C. chopped cauliflower florets
2 T. unsalted butter
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. ground black pepper
3 T. minced fresh sage leaves
1 T. minced fresh thyme leaves

1.In the work bowl of a food processor, place half of cauliflower; pulse until grainy. Set aside. Repeat with remaining cauliflower and any large pieces from first batch.
2.In large skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat; in batches, add enough cauliflower to cover bottom of skillet. Add water to coat skillet, and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until cauliflower is tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain cauliflower, and reserve in a large bowl. Repeat with remaining cauliflower. In a large bowl, combine cauliflower, sage, and thyme; toss. Serve immediately, or let stand until cool.
Louisiana Fig Glaze

1 (11.75-oz.) jar fig preserves (about 1 C.)
¼ C. rice wine vinegar
2 T. extra-virgin olive oil

In a large bowl, whisk together fig preserves, vinegar, and oil, breaking up any figs left whole or in chunks, until combined.

Cane Vinegar Fennel

¼ C. cane vinegar
1 T. cane syrup
½ shallot, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
â…› tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
â…› tsp. ground black pepper, plus more to taste
½ C. canola oil
½ large fennel bulb, fronds removed and reserved

In the container of a blender, combine vinegar, cane syrup, shallot, garlic, salt, and pepper; pulse to combine. With blender running on medium speed, slowly add oil, and process until emulsified. Add additional salt, if desired. Cover and refrigerate until using.
2.Cut fennel bulb in half lengthwise, and remove core. Thinly slice crosswise, and place in a bowl of ice water.
3.About 20 minutes prior to plating, pick some of the reserved fronds, and place in a large bowl. Drain fennel, and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Add fennel to fronds, and drizzle with vinaigrette; toss to dress. Taste, and adjust salt and pepper.
Bacon Marmalade

½ pound bacon, cut into ¼-inch pieces
1 large sweet yellow onion, diced
2 T. firmly packed brown sugar
2 T. apple cider vinegar

In a large skillet, heat bacon over medium heat; cook until bacon drippings have rendered. With a slotted spoon, remove bacon from pan, and reserve. Reserve 3 to 4 T. bacon drippings. Add onion, and cook until translucent. Return reserved bacon to pan. Add brown sugar and vinegar, and cook until mixture has thickened to a glaze. Serve warm. Can be made up to 7 days ahead.

 

Chinatown Veal Riblets

Chinatown Veal Riblets

2 1/2 to 3 pounds veal riblets, well trimmed
2 C. orange juice, divided
1/2 C. dry white wine
2 T. low sodium soy sauce
1 T. honey
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tsp. fresh ginger root, grated
1/2 tsp. orange peel, shredded
1 1/4 tsp. cornstarch
Green onion tops, sliced thin, for garnish

Combine veal riblets, 1 1/2 C. of the orange juice and the wine in Dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover tightly and simmer 45 minutes, turning riblets occasionally. Meanwhile, combine remaining orange juice, soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger and orange peel in small saucepan. Dissolve cornstarch in 1 T. cold water. Add to saucepan; mix well. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; set aside. Remove riblets from liquid; let cool 15 minutes. Place riblets on grid over medium coals. Brush with glaze. Grill 12 to 14 minutes or until evenly browned, turning frequently and brushing with glaze. Or, broil 4 inches from heat, turning frequently and brushing with glaze, about 12 minutes. Transfer to platter and sprinkle with green onion. Cut into serving-size portions.

Spice-Glazed Lamb Rib Chops with Pear Chutney

Spice-Glazed Lamb Rib Chops with Pear Chutney

pear chutneyFOR THE GLAZE:
1 tablespoon curry powder
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
3 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

FOR THE CHUTNEY:
1 medium yellow onion, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 large ripe Bosc pear, quartered and cored
vegetable oil
1/4 cup raisins
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

16 rib lamb chops, , about 3/4 inch thick each, trimmed of nearly all fat

TO MAKE THE GLAZE: In a small sauté pan over medium heat, warm the curry powder just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Whisk in the rest of the glaze ingredients and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and set aside.

TO MAKE THE CHUTNEY: Lightly brush or spray the onion slices and pear pieces on all sides with the vegetable oil. Grill the onion and pear over Direct Medium heat until barely tender, turning once halfway through grilling time. The onion will take 10 to 12 minutes and the pear will take 7 to 9 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature, then cut into 1/2 inch pieces. In a medium sauté pan combine the onion and pear with the raisins and 1/4 cup of the glaze. Cook over high heat until the mixture starts to boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until the onion and pear are soft, about 10 minutes. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if necessary. Keep warm over low heat.

Lightly brush or spray both sides of the lamb chops with the reserved glaze. Grill over Direct Medium heat until the lamb is medium rare, 5 to 8 minutes, turning once halfway through grilling time. Serve immediately with the warm chutney.

Roast Leg of Lamb

Roast Leg of Lamb

lamb4- to 5-pound (2- to 2 1/2-kilogram) bone-in leg of lamb, trimmed of excess fat
3 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 lemon, preferably organic, thinly sliced

Remove the lamb from the refrigerator and let it stand at room temperature for up to 1 1/2 hours. Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C). [Editor’s Note: Trust us, you’re going to want to scrub that oven if you’ve got even the tiniest burnt-on spillover from last fall’s apple pie; otherwise your oven is going to smoke like crazy when it gets this hot.] In a small bowl, combine the garlic, salt, pepper, and oil and mix well. Using a small, sharp knife, cut 10 slits about 1 1/2 inches (4 centimeters) deep in the lamb. Push some of the garlic mixture into the slits and rub the rest all over the outside of the lamb, turning to coat all sides. Place a sheet of aluminum foil in a large roasting pan, shiny side down. Distribute the lemon slices evenly along the center of the foil. (It may be necessary to overlap some lemon slices.) Place the lamb on the lemon slices. Roast the lamb, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F (150°C) and continue roasting, still uncovered, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the lamb, away from the bone, registers 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare, 30 to 50 minutes more. Transfer the lamb to a carving board and tent with aluminum foil. Let rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Carve the lamb against the grain into thin slices. Serve right away.

Lamb Steak with Shallots and Red Wine Sauce

Lamb Steak with Shallots and Red Wine Sauce

20130712_213418_00___5d8 brown shallots, peeled and quartered but left whole at the root
2 lamb leg steaks, about 175g (6 oz.) each
25g (1 oz.) butter
60ml (4 T.) balsamic vinegar
175ml (6 fl oz.) red wine
150ml beef stock
5ml (1 tsp.) redcurrant jelly [optional]

Simmer the shallots in a pan of water for 2-3 minutes, then drain and set aside. Season the steaks with a little salt and plenty of crushed peppercorns. Heat half the butter in a pan until sizzling, then cook the steaks for 3 minutes on each side for medium or until done to your liking. Remove the steaks and keep warm. While they rest, add the remaining butter to the pan, throw in the shallots, then sizzle in the sticky pan until starting to brown. Add the balsamic vinegar and bubble for a few minutes. Add the wine and boil down until sticky, then add the beef stock and simmer until everything comes together. If you like a bit of sweetness to your sauce, add the jelly and make sure it dissolves completely. Spoon the shallots and sauce over the steaks and serve immediately.

Yield: 2 servings
Calories: 515
Fat: 18.7g
Fiber: 0g

Greek Pastitsio

Greek Pastitsio

8 ounces dried elbow or other small tube noodle
8 ounces ground lamb or lean ground beef
1 14 -ounce jar spaghetti sauce with onion and garlic
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
1 cup milk
1 1.8-ounce envelope white sauce mix
2 slightly beaten eggs
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (1 ounce)
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ cup grated kasseri cheese or provolone cheese (1 ounce)

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Set aside. In large skillet, cook ground meat until brown. Drain off fat. Stir in spaghetti sauce, cinnamon and fennel seed; set aside. In medium saucepan, slowly stir milk into white sauce mix. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat. Gradually stir half of the white sauce into eggs; return all of the mixture to saucepan. Stir in feta cheese and nutmeg. To assemble, layer half of the cooked pasta in a greased 2-quart casserole dish. Spread meat mixture over pasta; top with remaining pasta. Evenly spread white sauce mixture over pasta. Sprinkle with kasseri cheese. Bake in a 350 degree F oven about 35 minutes or until set. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Makes 6 servings. To make Pastitsio ahead, assemble the casserole as directed (do not bake). Cover with freezer wrap, label, and freeze for up to 2 months. To serve, unwrap baking dish; discard freezer wrap. Bake, covered, in a 350 degree F oven for 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hours or until mixture is heated through.