Pheasant Breast Stuffed With Apples In A Cider Vinegar And Prune Sauce Recipes

Steps:

• Place the apples into a small saucepan with the water, thyme, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the apples have softened and cooked down to a chunky applesauce, about 15 minutes. Remove the applesauce from the heat and stir in the breadcrumbs.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Prepare the pheasant breasts to be stuffed by cutting a pocket horizontally into each breast. Spoon the apple and bread crumb stuffing into each breast. Wrap each breast with two strips of bacon and place them into a baking dish with the chopped onion. Pour the chicken stock over the pheasant breasts and season with salt and pepper.
• Roast the pheasant breasts in the preheated oven until well done and the juices from the meat run clear, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Remove the breasts from the baking dish and cover with aluminum foil. Pour the juices from the baking dish into a small saucepan with the cider vinegar and prunes; bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the cream and continue to boil until thickened.
• Slice the breasts diagonally and fan out on the serving platter, spoon the prune sauce over the slices to serve.

Steps:

• Place the apples into a small saucepan with the water, thyme, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the apples have softened and cooked down to a chunky applesauce, about 15 minutes. Remove the applesauce from the heat and stir in the breadcrumbs.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Prepare the pheasant breasts to be stuffed by cutting a pocket horizontally into each breast. Spoon the apple and bread crumb stuffing into each breast. Wrap each breast with two strips of bacon and place them into a baking dish with the chopped onion. Pour the chicken stock over the pheasant breasts and season with salt and pepper.
• Roast the pheasant breasts in the preheated oven until well done and the juices from the meat run clear, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Remove the breasts from the baking dish and cover with aluminum foil. Pour the juices from the baking dish into a small saucepan with the cider vinegar and prunes; bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the cream and continue to boil until thickened.
• Slice the breasts diagonally and fan out on the serving platter, spoon the prune sauce over the slices to serve.

Steps:

• For the pickled apples, put the salt, sugar, vinegar and berries in a small pan and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat, add the apple cubes and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed, high-sided casserole and season the pheasant joints with salt. Brown them all over, rendering out some of the yellow fat into the pan. Remove to a plate and season with pepper. Add the leeks, bacon and thyme to the pan along with a pinch of salt and a good grind of black pepper, and fry until the leeks have softened - about 8 mins. Add the apple slices and cook until starting to colour on both sides.
• Spoon in the brandy and cook until evaporated, add the cider and simmer for a few more mins to cook off the alcohol. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil. Reduce to a gentle simmer and add the pheasant joints back to the pan, covering with a circle of baking parchment.
• After 15 mins, remove the breasts from the pan to a plate and return the circle of baking parchment to the pan. Cook gently for a further 20 mins, then remove all the pheasant pieces from the pan to a plate and turn the heat up to reduce the sauce. Boil hard for a few min until reduced, then stir in the cream and mace and turn off the heat. Return the pheasant pieces to the sauce - the residual heat will warm it perfectly.
• Divide the pheasant between plates and spoon over the sauce. Garnish with the pickled apples and hazelnuts. Serve with our celeriac colcannon.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Wash the chicken and pat dry with paper towels.
• Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board. Lightly press each chicken breast flat with one hand; use a sharp knife to cut a slit horizontally along one edge of the breast, cutting nearly to the opposite side but not all the way through. Open it so it forms two flaps, attached at the center, like a butterfly. Set aside - keep refrigerated.
• To a small mixing bowl, add the diced apple, lemon juice, lemon zest, sage, 3 tablespoons of bread crumbs, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Stuff each breast with about a quarter of the apple mixture and 1 slice of Brie; close the flap, press it down firmly, and set the chicken aside.
• Transfer the stuffed chicken breasts to a baking sheet. (There is no need to seal them around the edges.) Sprinkle the breasts with salt and pepper.
• Combine the remaining bread crumbs, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste in a shallow dish. Lightly beat the egg with a fork in another dish.
• One at a time, hold the chicken breast together and dip in the beaten egg - coat on both sides. Dredge in the bread crumb mixture, turning it over to coat well. Repeat until done.
• Next, drizzle 2 teaspoons of olive oil into a large heavy-bottom skillet; set over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts; brown on each side (about 2 - 3 minutes per side).
• Transfer the chicken breasts to a large casserole dish; add 1/2 cup of the apple cider/juice, the chicken broth, and the thyme sprigs. Place in the oven and bake for 15 - 20 minutes, or until no longer pink inside.
• While the chicken is baking, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté for about 15 - 20 minutes, stirring often. Cook until they turn deep golden brown. To the onions add the garlic, sliced apples, cinnamon and wine and cook for about 5 more minutes, or until the liquid evaporates. Cover and keep warm.
• Transfeer the chicken to a warmed serving platter; cover with foil to keep warm.
• Whisk together the remaining apple cider/juice, the mustard, and the cinnamon; bring to a boil in a small sauce pan on high heat for 3 minutes until the sauce is reduced and slightly thickened.
• Spoon the carmelized onions and cinnamon apples, followed by the sauce over the chicken. Serve immediately.