Grouse

[Don]

Got a couple of Grouse a few weeks back. Yesterday I defrosted them.



Then I completely deboned the birds like you would for a ballotine.



Then, because the skin is so thin, I stuffed them..



And wrapped them in pancetta.



Tonight I roast them and serve them with a spicy jus made with stock from the carcasses, red wine, garlic, shallots, lemon and chillies.

I'll be back with "Photo of my Dinner" later...

I'll do "game chips" (posh wedges done in the oven) with them and some fresh vegetables. It's Christmas so I'm putting in a little effort.

[crossy67]

Sounds lush. Awaiting update

[truck71]

Wow, feeling somewhat culinary inferior. Enjoy.

[majordad]

This looks good !

[Hoover.]

cooked grouse my self very recently, and decided it was not to my tasting..... I like game, but this was over kill

[Don]

So here it is. Cooked and YUMMY!





It was delicious. Not to my wife's tastes who is not really that keen on game. I found it gamey and tasty but not worth the phenomenal price since I don't shoot myself. Partridge is probably my favourite game bird and is a lot better value. Grouse is darker and gamier. Hare to rabbit.

But worth it as an experience. And the method of preparation meant my wife could enjoy it too...

What you are looking at us Grouse Ballotine, wrapped in Pancetta and stuffed with sausage meat with "rustic" chips, wedges of cabbage and garlic/tarragon courgette slices.

Edited by Don on Sunday 21st December 22:45

[Bill]

This isn't meant to come across as snobby, but I love the idea of grouse and chips Good effort on the ballotine, shame your mrs didn't like it after all that work.

[Burrow01]

good - I've had Grouse twice, both times just straight roasted and it was super tough/dry so that looks like a good option

[Don]

Grouse and chips! If they're good enough for Heston...

The method provides for moist meat as there is so much fat in the sausagemeat/stuffing and pancetta that it bastes itself.

I'll do this recipe again - but probably with pheasant. With a pheasant it should feed two greedy people...

[oddman]

Don said:

I found it gamey and tasty but not worth the phenomenal price since I don't shoot myself.

Believe me, it's a lot more expensive if you do shoot!

Grouse varies a bit depending on age and how long it's been hung.

[Don]

oddman said:

Don said:

I found it gamey and tasty but not worth the phenomenal price since I don't shoot myself.

Believe me, it's a lot more expensive if you do shoot!

Grouse varies a bit depending on age and how long it's been hung.

I'm sure. I paid £10 a bird. Going on a shoot is track day money....

[Burrow01]

Don said:

I'm sure. I paid £10 a bird. Going on a shoot is track day money....

A very expensive Track Day at that...

I was lucky with the first Grouse I ate in that we were in Scotland for a week and a couple of the guys shot them as a walk up on the moors, not as part of a driven day.

Will give this recipe a go with pheasant though, looks good.