BRAISED PHEASANT WITH SAUERKRAUT

Braised Pheasant With Sauerkraut image

Provided by Craig Claiborne

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

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Ingredients

2 pheasants, 2 pounds each cleaned weight, preferably trussed, with necks and hearts
Salt to taste if desired
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1/4 pound fatback, cut into 1/4-inch cubes, about 1/2 cup
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 whole cloves garlic, peeled
1 cup dry white wine
2 tart apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin
2 pounds sauerkraut, rinsed and drained well
1 cup chicken broth
2 bay leaves
2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried
12 juniper berries, optional

Steps:

Sprinkle pheasants inside and out with salt and pepper.
Heat fatback in casserole large enough to hold pheasants without crowding. Add necks and hearts. When fatback is slightly rendered add pheasants, placing them on one side. Cook about 3 minutes or until golden brown on one side and turn. Cook 2 or 3 minutes on second side until golden brown. Continue cooking and turning until golden brown. Browning time is 12 to 15 minutes.
Add onion and garlic and stir. Cook about 3 minutes.
Add wine and stir around bottom. Add apple slices and sauerkraut, distributing it over and around birds.
Add broth, bay leaves, thyme, juniper berries, salt and pepper. Cover closely and cook 45 minutes to 1 hour or until pheasants are tender. Untruss pheasants and cut into serving pieces. Serve with sauerkraut and apples and buttered boiled potatoes.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 448, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 16 grams, Fat 25 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 33 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 1118 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams