Cooking with Wild Birds
A wild bird recipe from my demo at the Austin Food & Wine Festival, perfect for a light, refreshing summer meal.
Poached Dove Breasts with Kale, Meyer Lemons & Radish
Ingredients
- 12 doves, breasted, leg/thigh quarters reserved for another use.
- 1 quart rich poultry broth, well seasoned with salt and vegetable mirepoix
- 4 cups fine cut julienne of kale, spines removed of course
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 tablespoons juice of Meyer lemon
- 1 cup thinly sliced red radish, fingertip radishes if you have them.
- 1/3 cup sliced peeled roasted red pepper
- 1/4 cup sliced olives (I like green Lugques best for this)
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 2 tablespoons minced shallots
- 3 tablespoons mixed minced parsley, tarragon and mint
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Noble brand Pharaohs Heirloom Lemon Matured white wine vinegar (available from Mikuni)
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, to garnish
- 1/4 cup aged reggiano parmesan ‘curls,’ to garnish
Instructions
Toss the kale in the lemon juice and salt. Let sit for one hour.
Bring the broth to a strong simmer in a 3-quart pot. Slide the 24 dove breasts into the broth and cook for 3 minutes.
Remove from the broth and pile in the middle of the bowl with the kale.
Add the remaining ingredients one at a time, saving the oil and vinegar for the end. Garnish with the cheese and pine nuts. Season and serve, tossing at the table and serving with plenty of crusty bread.
