Pot roast Partridge
Pot roast Partridge
Lucknam Park, Wiltshire
4 oven ready partridge crowns with legs separate
20 girolle mushrooms
250g duck fat
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 sprig thyme
2 rashers rindless smoked bacon, finely diced
1 small roscoff onion, finely diced 100g puff pastry
Pinch sesame seeds
1 egg, beaten
16 medium sized brussel sprouts 8 peeled salt baked chestnuts 100ml double cream
1 spring onion, finely sliced
1tbs chives, finely chopped
Partridge sauce
Bones, wings, neck and trimmings of the 4 partridge, finely chopped 2 shallots, roughly chopped
1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
6 crushed juniper berries
125ml ruby port
200ml red wine
25ml blackberry liqueur
500ml brown meat stock
Blackberry chutney
250g fresh or frozen blackberries 70g caster sugar
70g finely chopped red onion 20g freshly grated root ginger
5g white mustard seeds
75g blackberry or red wine vinegar
Creamed brussel sprouts & chestnuts, girolles and blackberry
Serves 4
Pot Roast Partridge – For the sauce, caramelise the chopped trimmings in a little oil. Add the shallots, garlic and juniper and continue to roast until golden. Add the port, wine and liqueur and reduce by two thirds. Add the meat stock and simmer gently for 30 minutes. Pass through a fine sieve and reduce to desired sauce consistency. Finish by whisking in a small cube of unsalted butter.
The quantities given for the chutney will yield more than required, but it will keep for up to a month in a sealed jar. Combine all the ingredients and simmer gently for 30 minutes. Blend to a smooth purée, and pass through a fine sieve.
Heat the duck fat, garlic and thyme and add the partridge legs. Cook in a low oven (130˚C) for 90 minutes or until meat is easily removed from the bone. Allow to cool slightly, then remove the skin and flake the meat. Cook the diced bacon and onion in a little butter until soft, add the flaked meat, moisten with a little of the partridge sauce and adjust the seasoning. Allow to cool, then divide the mixture into 4 balls. Carefully wrap in the rolled puff pastry and brush with the beaten egg. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and cook at 200˚C for approximately 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Discard the outer leaves from the sprouts and finely shred the remainder. Melt a little butter in a pan and cook the shredded sprouts gently until tender. Cut 12 nice slices from the chestnuts and set aside; chop the remainder and add to the sprouts. Add the cream and cook until it coats the sprouts. Finish with the spring onions, chives and seasoning.
Season and brown the partridge crowns in a little oil until golden. Add butter to the pan and cook further until it begins to foam. Cook in an oven at 180˚C for 6-8 minutes, basting occasionally with the butter. Allow to rest, then carefully remove both breasts from the crown. Cook the girolle mushrooms in the partridge butter, season, and set aside.
Arrange the sprout mixture neatly on serving plates. Top with the partridge breasts and garnish with the chestnut slices, girolles and blackberry chutney. Serve the little pies and sauce separately.