For outdoor enthusiasts who are passionate about all things culinary, the delicious result of a glorious Continental Hunt at The Preserve in Richmond, Rhode Island, is just as exciting as the hunt itself. A well-dressed pheasant or two – or more – roasted to perfection by Preserve Executive Chef, Tommy DelMastro Jr., that embodies all we love about farm-to-table cooking. Chef Tommy’s recipe below is all about freshness and flavor and the rewards of the shooting life.
[cooked-sharing]
Yields5 ServingsPrep Time20 minsCook Time35 minsTotal Time55 mins
1Clove of Garlic
Juice of 2 tangerines, plus 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated peel and 1 tangerine, halved
Coarse salt
2tbspOlive Oil
1tspDried Tarragon
Freshly ground black pepper
2Carrots
0.50lbWhite new potatoes, scrubbed and quartered
4Large ripe plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise and seeded
1Pheasant, about 2 1/2 pounds
2Sprigs fresh tarragon, or flat-leaf parsley
0.50Tart apple, cored and cut in pieces
2Shallots, peeled and halved
4Sprigs fresh sage, plus extra for garnish
3Slices Turkey Bacon
⅛cupDefatted Chicken Broth
1
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mince the garlic with the salt; place in a bowl. Add the tangerine juice and peel, 1 tablespoon olive oil, dried tarragon, and pepper. Set aside.
2
Blanch the carrots and potatoes for 7 to 8 minutes in boiling water. Drain and place in a bowl with the tomatoes. Reserve.
3
Carefully loosen breast skin of the pheasant; place a sprig of tarragon underneath each side of the breast. Replace the skin neatly. Squeeze the halved tangerine into the cavity, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the apple pieces, shallots, and sage in the cavity; tie legs together with kitchen string.
4
Place reserved vegetables in a small roasting pan. Toss with garlic-tangerine mixture. Place the pheasant, breast side up, on top of the vegetables. Brush pheasant with the remaining tablespoon of oil. Lay bacon slices over the breast. Pour broth in the bottom of the pan.
5
Roast in the center of the oven for 1 hour, basting 2 or 3 times. Remove bacon and continue to roast until the breast is brown and the pheasant is cooked through, about 20 to 30 minutes longer. Test for doneness with tip of a knife in the thickest part of the thigh. The juices should run clear. Let pheasant rest 10 minutes before carving.
6
Carve the pheasant, remove to a serving platter and surround with the vegetables. Spoon some of the juices over top. Serve extra juices alongside. Garnish with fresh sage.
Juice of 2 tangerines, plus 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated peel and 1 tangerine, halved
Coarse salt
2tbspOlive Oil
1tspDried Tarragon
Freshly ground black pepper
2Carrots
0.50lbWhite new potatoes, scrubbed and quartered
4Large ripe plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise and seeded
1Pheasant, about 2 1/2 pounds
2Sprigs fresh tarragon, or flat-leaf parsley
0.50Tart apple, cored and cut in pieces
2Shallots, peeled and halved
4Sprigs fresh sage, plus extra for garnish
3Slices Turkey Bacon
⅛cupDefatted Chicken Broth
Directions
1
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mince the garlic with the salt; place in a bowl. Add the tangerine juice and peel, 1 tablespoon olive oil, dried tarragon, and pepper. Set aside.
2
Blanch the carrots and potatoes for 7 to 8 minutes in boiling water. Drain and place in a bowl with the tomatoes. Reserve.
3
Carefully loosen breast skin of the pheasant; place a sprig of tarragon underneath each side of the breast. Replace the skin neatly. Squeeze the halved tangerine into the cavity, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the apple pieces, shallots, and sage in the cavity; tie legs together with kitchen string.
4
Place reserved vegetables in a small roasting pan. Toss with garlic-tangerine mixture. Place the pheasant, breast side up, on top of the vegetables. Brush pheasant with the remaining tablespoon of oil. Lay bacon slices over the breast. Pour broth in the bottom of the pan.
5
Roast in the center of the oven for 1 hour, basting 2 or 3 times. Remove bacon and continue to roast until the breast is brown and the pheasant is cooked through, about 20 to 30 minutes longer. Test for doneness with tip of a knife in the thickest part of the thigh. The juices should run clear. Let pheasant rest 10 minutes before carving.
6
Carve the pheasant, remove to a serving platter and surround with the vegetables. Spoon some of the juices over top. Serve extra juices alongside. Garnish with fresh sage.
The Preserve Academy, located at The Sporting Shoppe & Range at The Preserve, offers a wide curriculum of firearms safety and tactical training classes taught by NRA Certified Instructors.
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