HONEY & BLACK PEPPER PARTRIDGE WITH ROASTED SQUASH

Honey & black pepper partridge with roasted squash image

This special autumnal main is simpler than it looks

Provided by Mike Robinson

Time 1h20m

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

4 oven-ready partridge
olive oil
250ml dry cider
2 tbsp clear honey
200ml chicken stock
1 butternut squash , peeled and cut into 2.5cm chunks
few thyme sprigs, leaves stripped

Steps:

Cut the backbone out of one of the partridges using a strong pair of kitchen scissors or poultry shears. Turn the bird over, then use your bodyweight and press down on the middle of the breast with the heel of your hand, until the partridge flattens out. Repeat.
Heat a little oil in a large non-stick pan. Season the birds with salt and pepper, then brown them quickly - 2 at a time - in the pan. Lift out, and set aside.
Mix the cider with the honey, reserve one-third of the mix, then tip the rest into the pan to deglaze. Stir in the stock, then reduce the liquid down for 5 mins or until you have a syrupy sauce. Season to taste.
Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Pop the squash into a mixing bowl, toss with most of the thyme, seasoning, a little of the reserved cider mix and 1 tbsp olive oil. Tip onto a non-stick baking tray, then roast for 30 mins.
Now toss the partridges in what's left of the cider mix. Grind lots of black pepper over and scatter with a good sprinkling of salt. Nestle the partridges amongst the squash, breast-side up. Sprinkle with a little more thyme. Roast for 15 mins, then remove the birds and let them rest. Turn off the oven and keep the squash warm. Cut the birds into quarters and serve on top of a pile of squash. Drizzle around a little of the sauce and scatter with a little thyme, to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 508 calories, Fat 18 grams fat, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 25 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 17 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 61 grams protein, Sodium 1.18 milligram of sodium