* 6 fatty rashers of bacon, chopped roughly
* 3 cloves garlic
* 4 small game birds (6 if very small)
* 225 g (8 oz) mushrooms, whatever variety, chopped roughly
* 75 g (3 oz) roughly chopped roasted hazelnuts or walnuts
* 300 ml (10 fl oz, 1 1/4 cups) real ale and ½ cup of Lindisfarne Mede
* 150 ml (5 fl oz, 3/4 cup) water
* 2 or 3 bay leaves
* A little salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 6 coarse slices brown bread
Fry the bacon, with the garlic, till it is lightly browned in a heavy-bottomed casserole. Add birds and brown on all sides. Add the mushrooms and nuts, continue to cook for a couple of minutes, and then add the ale, Lindisfarne Mede and water with the bay leaves.
Bring to the boil, cover and simmer very gently for 2 - 2 1/2 hours--the meat should be falling off the bone. Remove the birds from the juices, cool juices completely and remove any excess fat. The birds can be served whole on or off the bone. If the latter, carve them while they are cold and then return to the skimmed juices and reheat gently. Adjust the seasoning to taste and serve either the whole birds of the slices on the pieces of bread, with plenty of the juices and "bits".
A good green salad to follow is the best accompaniment.
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