So to assuage our desire for a slightly 'gamier' bird than our usual Chicken for our Sunday roast we plumped for a Guinea-fowl.
Many years ago I bought about a dozen Guinea-fowl chicks to run alongside our Chickens. Sadly the local wildlife also had a desire for such delights, and they soon fell victim to overnight attacks. I've not bothered since.
If you haven't tasted Guinea-fowl, I would recommend you do so. In many ways it's similar to a really good quality Chicken, but with a slightly gamier edge. The flesh on the birds themselves is also much more moist (fattier) than a Chicken.
Yesterday I roasted the one above with Potatoes, Butternuts, Sprouts, and preserved Lemon; and it was served with Lady Magnon's fabulous homemade Cranberry Sauce.... Almost Christmassy!
18 comments:
I have never enjoyed game; the taste has never appealed to me. However, I understand that other's feel differently. On the other hand, I enjoy free range, organic, chicken. The taste is so different than the normal processed meat that most of us in the US consume. Price, though, is a big concern.
Ooh, sounds good. Looks even better! Pre-Christmas dinner. I have never eaten guinea fowl, and I have never seen them in the shops here, though I know rural-dwellers sometimes raise their own. It's unusual, though.
When I lived in Yorkshire, grouse and pheasant was a very regular meal (those shot pellets could break a tooth!). Only eaten guinea fowl in a restaurant. Might have to try cooking one at home.
We are very lucky here in France that really good free range, maize fed, chickens are widely available. They are pricey (as was the Guinea-fowl), but that's life!
As usual, it's all Capons on sale here for christmas Sue. I've never had one, and shall stick to my Turkey.
Haven't had breakfast yet and the sight of that roast, with all the tasty veg is making me very very hungry!
I have eaten guinea fowl before - not bad at all - they are such lovely looking birds there used to be a flock in a neighbouring village that just wandered round the back lanes and roosted in the trees. We usually have a cockerel for Christmas dinner so much tastier than a normal chicken - not sure why that is.
Mmmm might be trying that my man.
Looks delicious. My butcher always has guinea fowl for sale, ready for the oven. Tell me Cro - did you roast the sprouts in with the bird too? I have done this with root veg but always cook my sprouts separately.
I did indeed. Someone mentioned it recently, and I've done it ever since. Try it.
We enjoy guinea fowl, not as gamey as some birds.
How long do you roast your sprouts for? Over cooked them when I tried it. Yuk! So have stuck to a few mins on the hob.
I put everything in together (I'm lazy), and roasted the whole lot for 1 hr 15 mins. Everything was perfectly cooked.
Cro, bon appétit. My uncle raised Guineas on his farm but I was never privileged to eat one. Eight week old chickens were the fowl of choice. All I remember was that Guineas were always noisy when things were not right on the farm and that they gave up their roost high in the trees to roost with the chickens in the coop when a storm was coming. They are a smart wily bird.
Have a great Guinea fowl bird eating day.
I always say the guineas are the lawyers of the barnyard. They get the other fowl once, look them in the eye, then get them again to make sure the others don't forget it.
I hope you have "done" your red cabbage. How do you preserve lemons? I have only seen them used in Morocco.
Yum! That looks absolutely delicious. I've been lucky enough to try most game birds, but do love guinea fowl. Haven't had one for ages and have never seen any for sale in my part of Yorkshire, more's the pity.
I usually buy mine, but have made them myself. You almost quarter them, pack with salt, then cover with water. It's been a long time, so probably better to consult a recipe.
I won't mention to my three guinea fowl how delicious these photos look...
Post a Comment