Wild Game
Venison Stew
Duck and Goose Gizzards and Hearts
Duck Ravioli
Roast Wild Duck with
Greek Olive and Pepper Sauce
Quail Cacciatore
Pheasant Cacciatore
Roasted Speckled Goose
Snow Goose in Port Wine Sauce
Fried Canada Goose Breast
Dove Breasts on Polenta
Game Fish
Pan-Fried Trout
Grilled Salmon
Abalone Marsala
Red Snapper with Fennel
Stuffed Striped Bass
Citrus Grilled Sea Bass
2005 Sauvignon Blanc
2005 Glissando
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Snow Goose in Port Wine Sauce
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Each Fall, the snow goose makes its way from Siberia down to California's
Sacramento valley, and we were often lucky enough to shoot a few. Unlike
other geese, the snow goose is a very lean bird, with very little fat
around the breast and legs, hence not a very good candidate for roasting.
Furthermore, the feathers are extremely difficult to pluck, an additional
hindrance to anyone wanting to roast the goose in conventional style. We
typically skinned the goose, and then separated the breast and upper legs
from the bone. To cook this very lean and dry meat, we had to add a
sauce. For many years, we used a dry red wine for snow goose stew, but
then, quite by accident, we discovered that a heavy port wine made an even
better sauce. This may be the tastiest of all the wild game dishes that
we prepare.
Breasts and thighs of 3 snow geese, boned and cut into 1 1'2" to 2" cubes
1/2 cup, olive oil
1/2 cup, all purpose flour
2 cups, whole small boiling onions, peeled
2 cups, small (about 2" to 3") carrots, but not peeled
12 small red potatoes, washed, but not peeled, and halved
6 medium garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 cup, port wine
1/2 cup, dry red wine
1 cup, dried porcini mushrooms, soaked and coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon, dried thyme
1 teaspoon, dried tarragon
1 teaspoon, salt
1 teaspoon, black pepper, medium grind
2 tablespoons, all purpose flour, thoroughly dissolved in 1/2 cup cold
water
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Cut goose meat into cubes, and dry thoroughly.
Dredge goose meat in
flour, and add to large skillet in sizzling hot olive oil.
Brown quickly
on all sides, then reduce flame and cook for about 5 minutes more.
Remove
goose meat with slotted spoon, and set aside.
Add onions, carrots,
potatoes, and garlic.
Cook over medium flame until onion skins are
translucent.
Mix port and dry red wine, then begin adding wine, a little
bit at a time, de-glazing the skillet as you go.
Add mushrooms, spices,
and salt and pepper. When the wine has cooked down by about about 1/2,
add the goose meat back to the pot, reduce to low flame, cover, and cook
for about 30 minutes.
Occasionally, give the skillet a vigorous shake to
ensure that the meat is well-coated.
When meat is done, remove all
ingredients to deep sided serving platter.
Add flour and water mixture to
pan, durn up heat, and mix vigourously until a thick, deep brown gravy
emerges.
Pour over goose on serving platter.
Recipe serves 8.
Note: We sometimes chopped the meat and vegetables a little more finely,
and served the goose stew over slices of toasted French bread, as an
appetizer. Don't allow guests to eat too much, as they could easily
become too full for the main course!
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