Pheasant, Grouse, Quail
Pheasant and Dumplings
I never used to think chicken and dumplings was worth making. But I was wrong, and the dish is even better with pheasant or grouse.
Recipe
Arrowhead or Wapato Pasta
Wapato, arrowhead, katniss, duck potato: Sagittaria is an aquatic tuber of American marshes said to be the equal of a potato. I have never found it. But a friend sent me some, so I got my first tantalizing taste.
Recipe
Goose Stew with Barley and Mushrooms
Snow geese rule the winter skies in Northern California. They are among the hardest birds to hunt -- and are among the most challenging to cook.
Greek
Greek Rabbit Stifado
Stifado, the iconic Greek rabbit stew, is a beguiling mix of sweet, spicy and savory. Sweet wine and lots of olive oil make this dish, as does a good brace of cottontails.
Recipe
Hungarian Venison Goulash
It seems that there is no one "authentic" Hungarian goulash. But this one, made with venison, comes pretty close to the old recipes, csipetke dumplings and everything.
Sweet Things
Pine Nut Ice Cream
Pine nuts from America's Great Basin are among the best in the world. Combine them with some desert wildflower honey I bought in Arizona and you have one spectacular ice cream.
Ducks and Geese
How to Make Smoked Duck
If you have never smoked a duck before you really ought to. Duck and goose lend themselves to the caresses of smoke: They're rich, fatty and are wonderful as leftovers in sandwiches.
Recipe
Porcini Risotto
There's nothing quite like a porcini hunt. The mushrooms are huge, meaty and can go for $30 a pound or more, so finding them is like striking gold. And boy did we find them last weekend!
Recipe
A Gift from the Garden
It's not often I write about my garden anymore; it's gone as feral as I have. But every now and again, it gives me a gift. Like these beautiful white beans.
Wild Game
Roast Snipe and Slow Days
When the weather is balmy and the ducks aren't flying, head to the bogs and look for the mystical snipe.
Recipe
Braised Duck Legs with Leeks
'Tis the season for slow braises and duck hunting. I first posted this recipe back in 2007, but I've come a long way since then. Here is an updated, streamlined version.
Foraging
Sichuan Stir Fry Puffballs
Puffballs are basically the tofu of the mushroom world, so I normally avoid them. But when I found lots of little puffballs recently, I decided to make Sichuan ma po tofu, only with puffballs instead of tofu!
