A Pheasant Surprise

A Pheasant Surprise.

A brace of pheasant from Barons Court

Wrapped in christmas feathers

Eyes framed in berry red

Ringed in green of winter holly

Their body’s dappled brown bodice wore

Florentine marbled paper

Well travelled birds one might say

Three cocks and one brave hen

Far flung from the dynasties of the orient

Travelled to land in a barons court

And then to a minstrels table.

So to sweeten up the flesh of fowl

A drizzle of Tuscan oil.

A pinch of ground sea shore salt

Aromatic Madagascar pepper

Coriander seed, zest of lemon

Bunch of thyme, sprig of sage

And leaf of noble bay

Hear the searing hiss of wild juices trapped

Tuck the carcass into bed of Mirepoix

With clove of allium 

And sweet Amontillado 

Then decorate on willow pattern plate with love

Serve with juniper and red currant jelly.

Then Taste the taste that cannot be hunted

The clear running jus of friendship.

By Tim Buckley

My wife plays the harp and played at Barons court in co. Fermanagh an old castle country House where chef Michel Roux was cooking and shooting for the weekend before leaving they gave her some pheasants to take home besides a delicious meal this was the out-come.