Pan-Roasted Wild Pigeon, Jerusalem Artichoke
Ingredients
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 340g Jerusalem artichokes or potatoes, peeled
- 150g butter, divided
- 280ml milk
- 75ml Maille Walnut Mustard
- Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
- 75g duck fat or lard
- 3 wood pigeons
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Chopped toasted hazelnuts
Pascal Aussignac
Pascal Aussignac’s roster of fine venues has grown to include Cellar Gascon, romantic bistro Comptoir Gascon, Le Cercle, Cigalon and Baranis. Club Gascon remains Pascal's flagship restaurant, holding a Michelin star.Preparation
*Tip: Wood pigeons can be found in Asian or gourmet markets. Quail, squab or Cornish hens can be substituted.
**If oven-proof skillet is not available, before baking, thoroughly wrap handle of skillet with heavy-duty aluminium foil.
- Fill large bowl with water, then stir in lemon juice. Add artichokes and let stand 30 minutes. Drain artichokes, pat dry and coarsely chop.
- Melt 150g butter in medium saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until golden. Stir in artichokes and cook until almost tender. Stir in milk. Bring just to the boiling point, then reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes or until artichokes are very tender.
- Process artichoke mixture in blender until very smooth and, if desired, pass through fine sieve. Turn into bowl, then stir in Maille Walnut Mustard and nutmeg. Set aside and keep warm.
- Preheat oven to 180°C.
- Melt duck fat in large, heavy-duty oven-proof skillet**. Season pigeons with salt and pepper and brown pigeons over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until golden. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and turn pigeons to coat.
- Put skillet in oven and roast pigeons 10 minutes or until desired (generally rare/medium-rare). Remove from oven and allow to stand covered for at least 5 minutes.
To serve
Carve pigeon from the bone and serve with artichoke puree. Garnish, if desired, with chicory or endive and hazelnuts.