Wild Mushroom Pierogi

Who doesn't love pierogi? I mean really. Little pockets of goodness, boiled briefly then fried and served with caramelized onions, sour cream and dill? Heaven on a plate. I made these with wild mushrooms, but any mushroom will do.

Honey-Glazed Smoked Ham

It's tough to cure a whole ham on a wild pig: You'd need to scald and scrape it in the field, and that ain't happening. But you can make a traditional Easter ham with a skinless piece! Here's my version, smoked and glazed with honey.

Fromage de Tete

Fromage de tete. Coppa di testa. Presskopf. Brawn. Anything but "head cheese." Only that's what this is. This is the head of a wild boar I shot, cooked and pressed into a terrine pan. It's actually damn good. No, really.

Pork Stir-Fry with Asparagus

After my pig hunt on Monday, I've spent the past few days butchering, curing, making stock and such. When it came time for dinner, all I wanted was something simple and easy. Stir fry hit the spot.

Pig Hunting on Karma Ranch

For the second time, I journeyed 300 miles south to hunt wild pigs. And for the second time, good karma lead to a good hunt. Crazy how that works out, eh?

Classic Sauce au Poivre

Steak au poivre, a/k/a pepper steak, is a French classic. Normally done with beef, this method works great for any red meat, from venison to duck or goose. I use specklebelly goose breasts here.

Squirrel Stew with Paprika and Greens

I first made this stew for my friends Joe and Dorrie in Ohio, last season. I called it Portuguese squirrel stew at the time, but I really have no idea whether this qualifies as Portuguese. All I know is that it's damn good.

Smoked Sturgeon

It's sturgeon time here in the West, and whether you catch your own or buy farm-raised fish, smoked sturgeon is one of the great smoked fish of the world. Here's how I make it.

Sweet Italian Sausage

Why it's taken me years to post a recipe for sweet Italian sausage is beyond me. I make this sausage all the time, too. Maybe it's just because I thought it too basic for HAGC? Whatever. Here it is, my version of the classic Italian favorite.

Classic Salmis of Duck

This is a venerable dish, one of the great classics of French cuisine. Napoleon could have eaten this, as could Victor Hugo, Camus or Charles de Gaulle. Escoffier certainly ate salmis, and my recipe is based on his.

Austrian Braised Venison Shanks

When life gives you the shanks from large deer, braise them whole. Cooked slow and low, shanks get so tender no knife is needed. This Austrian recipe is absolutely a keeper, if only for the sauerkraut alone: As you'll see, it's not your normal kraut.

Root Vegetable Ragu with Polenta

Yes, it's true. This is a vegetarian recipe... although it'd be good with some bacon. I have a fondness for unusual vegetables, and odd roots most of all. Many of my favorite oddities are in this simple ragout: Hamburg parsley, crosnes, salsify and hopniss.