Braised Pheasant Legs with Cabbage and Grapes

Standing in the fields at Joshua Creek was a special kind of experience. There is a mystical quality in the rooster pheasant as he shoots into the air like a feathered arrow, in all his green and red and purple, and speckled brown-black. The long spike of his tail feathers taper for aerodynamic flight and he leans to his side and paints the wind. You hesitate when you see the rooster, because you are in awe of his faultless beauty.

Sometimes the rooster doesn’t fall. Sometimes he will keep flying because he is a rooster and he is mysterious and will leave only a single feather floating to the ground for you to ponder. That is why you hunt the rooster. Because you must earn him. For wild pheasant hunting, you must walk sometimes for eight hours to earn him, and you must hurt a little, and sometimes you must hurt a lot. You must spend time respecting him before he will relent and fall. And even after he falls, lest you become too proud, he will sometimes disappear, where even the dogs must search for hours until they finally find the scent and drop him in your hands, smooth and handsome.

The meat of the pheasant is just as beautiful tasting. It is slightly sweet, and very tender. But it can also taste tough and chewy if it isn’t cooked properly. For example, you must always keep the breast meat away from moist heat.

The legs however do well in moisture, and so braising is a perfect technique for them. I like to add vegetables that have a little crunch and color, like cabbage, or kale, or even some shaved Brussels sprouts. Color and texture are an important thing to remember along with flavor — I call it the trifecta to a perfect meal. Something sweet is also always nice with pheasant, because the meat itself is slightly sweet. Crushed grapes, currants, a dash of brandy or whatever captures your imagination. And in the end, butter will keep things supple and lemon juice will brighten it to keep it fresh.

Give this a try sometime, this dish is magic.

Print Recipe

“Braised Pheasant Legs with Cabbage and Grapes”

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 8 pheasant legs
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup onion diced
• 2 cups cabbage finely sliced
• 1 cup seedless grapes crushed
• ¼ cup brandy
• 2 cups bird or chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoon parsley minced
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

• Pat the legs dry and season on both sides with salt and pepper. Dust both sides with flour.
• In a sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat until it begins to bubble. Add the legs, skin side down and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Turn over for about 1 minute, then remove the meat to a platter.
• In the same pan, add the onions and cabbage and sauté until soft and brown, about 5 minutes.
• Add the grapes and stir. Add the legs, brown side up and nestle them into the cabbage and onions.
• Add the brandy and light with a match. Let the alcohol burn off and reduce.
• Add the stock and cover partially with a lid and cook at a low simmer for about 1 hour, until the meat falls off the bone.
• Finish with lemon juice and parsley and more salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe photo by Terry Allen.