Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Backseat Driver

(4,333 posts)
Mon Sep 28, 2020, 01:03 AM Sep 2020

Well it's over: The first and only Family Pheasant Cook-off

I fulfilled the New Year's Resolution today: Do something you've never done before - so I cooked a pheasant in family competition with my SIL - His dirty birdie was delicious with high notes of citrus and his sides were simple yet elegant - polenta and mashed sweet potato and cauliflower.

My dirty birdie was lightly brined, marinated whole, and then roasted with a bacon-protected breast on a bed of apple, shallots, the crisp bacon from the roasted birdie and giblets with wild rice augmented by a cinnomine stick reduction of Stella Artois "Cidre" in the pan drippings." Sides included a Carrot-Butternut tart w/whole wheat crust dizzled with saged brown butter; a mushroom bread pudding; and a beet and red onion balsamic casserole with crispy topped crumbs.

Dessert: Lemon Cheesecake bars (from a box, lol).

I won the competition, but barely, and everyone contributed many excellent comments on our hard work! -
We were just a so-far-as-we-know healthy gathering of seven, always masked in public, stay-at-home,work-at-home, and one hybrid 2-days @ elementary school with on-line assignments - What Dinner @ Eight family fun!

I'm now exhausted and going to bed! I see I really missed some juicy Sunday news - I'll catch up tomorrow.

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Well it's over: The first and only Family Pheasant Cook-off (Original Post) Backseat Driver Sep 2020 OP
I wanna come to YOUR house for dinner! (Congrats, btw.) fierywoman Sep 2020 #1
Wow - congrats! A lot of hard work! Freddie Sep 2020 #2
LOL - I went cyber-hunting at Backseat Driver Sep 2020 #4
Congrats on your win! Callalily Sep 2020 #3
I was gifted a pheasant and will prepare it tonight Wawannabe Oct 2020 #5
Oh my - thanks for sharing this site and youtube video channel(s)! Backseat Driver Oct 2020 #6
The bird was fantastic! Wawannabe Oct 2020 #7

Freddie

(9,231 posts)
2. Wow - congrats! A lot of hard work!
Mon Sep 28, 2020, 07:58 AM
Sep 2020

BTW where do you live that your family hunts for pheasants? DH and his dad were pheasant hunters many years ago but a virus killed the pheasants (supposedly spread from domestic chickens) around here. I hear they’re making a comeback but they’re nowhere near as common as they used to be. We’re in PA, just south of the Lehigh Valley.

Backseat Driver

(4,333 posts)
4. LOL - I went cyber-hunting at
Tue Sep 29, 2020, 02:37 AM
Sep 2020

https://www.pheasantfordinner.com - whole birds as well as other products; recipes too! Fast delivery in well-chilled packaging.


A small Pheasant snack stix sampler pack was yummy too!

Callalily

(14,885 posts)
3. Congrats on your win!
Mon Sep 28, 2020, 08:25 AM
Sep 2020

I too have never cooked a pheasant, and for that matter never eaten one.

If I'm so inclined to do so, I want you to cook it for me!

Hope you got a lot of rest.

Wawannabe

(5,580 posts)
5. I was gifted a pheasant and will prepare it tonight
Thu Oct 1, 2020, 10:04 AM
Oct 2020

It is undressed so I will have to skin it.
Also have chanterelles from Whidby Island and fresh peppers and zucchini.

I am preparing in cast iron Dutch using this method. ...except I will do it in the house instead of over coals.

Side is a mixed green salad with Gorgonzola, garlic Parmesan walnuts and blue cheese dressing.

https://m.

&t=186s

Wawannabe

(5,580 posts)
7. The bird was fantastic!
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 10:28 AM
Oct 2020

I wish could post a pic!
I skinned and gutted myself!
Much like a chicken to cut up but the skinning method I saw on YouTube as well.

I did make a change to the boy's recipe tho. I used red wine (Pinot) instead of beer and buttermilk. Also, my bacon was smokey and had a pepper crust. The wine and smoke paired very well with the pheasant.

I had breast meat and it was only slightly dry--- but the sauce! Oh the sauce! Made it lovely!!

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Cooking & Baking»Well it's over: The firs...