When you are running low on ideas for what to get someone for a present, it can be nice to prepare a special meal for that person. For an early Christmas present, I decided to cook Roasted Pheasants as a lunch for my husband and my mother. This was the first time that I had ever cooked game birds and so I am not going to pretend to be an expert on their preparation. I had to do a little searching for information on temperature and times. I mostly followed the recipe from Hunter Angler Gardener Cook.*
I started out with wild Scottish pheasants and brushed them with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkled them with sea salt and fresh-ground black, green, and pink peppercorns. I then added slices of lemons and leeks to the pan, drizzled them lightly with olive oil and topped the pheasants with a bit of fresh rosemary from my snow-covered garden.
While the birds were roasting, I prepared a leek and broccolini risotto. The flavors of lemon, leek and rosemary blended quite well with that of the wild pheasants. After lunch, Bill and Mom were too full for dessert, but we sat around anyway and had an interesting conversation.
Sharing good food is a great way to bring people together, particularly when one puts the thought and effort into making a special meal.
Happy Holidays!
A Taste of Morning 
Looks and sounds delicious. Our butcher has lots of lovely game at the moment so you’ve inspired me to get some.
Splendid! I hope that you enjoy it!
Giving an event or experience makes a lot more sense that “stuff” at our age. Rabbit is another nice meat, between domesticated chicken and wild squirrel. Rabbits make good stews.
Oscar
It is crazy to go out and buy stuff just to have stuff to give. I’ve never tried rabbit. I had a pet rabbit for a while when I was growing up. One of our neighbors was always threatening to cook him for dinner. I have heard that rabbit stew can be quite good. Thanks for the note.
Never name something that you might be raising for food. 🙂
By coincidence we had pheasant last night. Mrs Tootlepedal casseroled it on a bed of veg. It was tasty.
Excellent! I like the sound of that dish very much.
These look great! I have yet to cook pheasant and I think you just inspired me to do it sooner than later! 🙂
Kenley
Thanks for your note, Kenley! Merry Christmas!
mmmmm …. can almost smell the lovely food 🙂
Thank you, Ute. Happy Holidays!