Best Woodchucks Recipes

GROUNDHOG STEW, WITH BACON AND NATURAL WILD RICE

Steps:

• The night before hand, trim the groundhog pieces of as much visible fat as possible, then season liberally with salt and pepper, toss with the garlic cl0ves, oil, thyme, bay leaves, and rosemary. Put the seasoned groundhog pieces in a wide dish or casserole and pour over the wine. Allow the woodchuck to sit overnight or at least for 4-5 hours, turn it around in the juices now and then if you have time.
• Cut the corn from the cob, then cut the cobb into 2 inch slices and reserve both separately.
• To prepare the stew, render out the fat from the bacon in a wide 10 inch braising pan, remove the bacon and reserve, leave the fat in the pan.
• Remove the groundhog pieces from their marinade, pat dry and remove any rogue herbs or pieces of garlic. Toss with the wild rice flour, then brown on medium high heat in the bacon fat. Pour off the spent fat from the pan, deglaze the pan with the sherry, reduce by half, then add the stock, corn cob, cover the pan and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
• If you have time, skim the albumen and fat that rise to the surface of the pan occasionally as it makes a cleaner tasting stew. Simmer the groundhog gently for 1.5 hours, or until the meat can be picked from the bones.
• Meanwhile, cook the wild rice in the chicken stock until just done, then strain out the rice and lay out on a plate or cookie sheet to cool. Reserve the wild rice liquid to add to the stew. It adds really good flavor, and that's why you're cooking the rice in chicken stock in the first place.
• Remove the woodchuck pieces and cool, then pick the meat from the bones, give it a rough chop, and reserve. You should have about 2.5 cups of meat.
• Remove the stock from the pan and reserve then strain it. You should have about 1 qts of liquid.
• Wipe the pan, then melt the butter and add the diced vegetables, bacon and the garlic. Sweat the mixture until it's well cooked, and the vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes, then add the reserved woodchuck liquid, tomato, wild rice liquid and simmer for 15 minutes more.
• Finally, add the woodchuck meat, corn kernels, and wild rice. Season the stew with salt to taste, then serve immediately with some Tobasco on the side. If not serving, chill immediately, transfer to a labeled, dated container and reserve until needed.

WOOD CHICK'S BBQ SMOKED BEEF BRISKET

Steps:

• Preheat charcoal smoker for half an hour. Soak the hickory chips for half an hour in water. Drain.
• Trim fat on brisket to 1/4-inch thickness. Sprinkle brisket generously with the dry rub. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate overnight.
• Remove the brisket from refrigerator 1 hour prior to cooking and let stand at room temperature. Mop the entire brisket with Mustard Sauce. Place brisket fat side up in a smoker at a preheated temperature of 200 to 225 degrees F. Add 3 handfuls of pre-soaked hickory chips to preheated charcoal (should be at the gray stage). After 3 hours, add another 3 handfuls of chips and mop with Beer Based Mop Sauce.
• After 2 more hours, place brisket on 2 pieces of heavy-duty foil and pour 1/4 cup Beer Based Mop Sauce on top of brisket and seal tightly. Continue to cook in smoker another 2 to 4 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 185 degrees F.
• Remove brisket from foil and let stand 15 minutes. Slice brisket against the grain into 1/4-inch thickness. Top with Brisket BBQ Sauce.
• Mix all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Mix all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
• In a medium to large saucepan, saute the onions in the butter over medium heat until soft. Add remaining ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.

WOODCHUCK

Steps:

• Make cheese sauce by combining milk, butter, flour and cheese.
• Simmer till blended well.
• Do not boil.
• Saute mushrooms and green pepper in a small amount of butter.
• Toss all ingredients together and serve immediatly over warmed Chinese noodles.

WOODCHUCKS

Steps:

• Young ones are best fried or roasted till tender.
• Older ones can be simmered for 2 to 3 hours and used as the base for a stew.