Traditional Roast Pheasant

Serves: 3

Difficulty: Medium

Preparation time: 10 mins

Cooking Time: 75 minutes

For the pheasant:

• 25 g butter
• 1x1.25 kg pheasant
• 4-6 smoked streaky bacon rashers
• Freshly ground salt and black pepper

For the game chips:

• 375g potatoes sunflower oil, for deep frying

For the cider sauce:

• 25g butter 1 onions finely chopped
• 20g plain flour
• 300 ml cider
• 300 ml chicken stock
• 1tsp thyme

Preheat the oven to 180C/gas 4Smear the butter over the pheasant, season with salt and black pepper and layer over the bacon.

Roast for about 1 hour and 20 mins. Test to see whether they are cooked by piercing a leg at the point where it joins the body - if the juices run clear, it is ready. If not, pop back in the oven and test again after 10 minutes.

Cut the potatoes into thin slices. Heat the oil in a deep fat fryer to 180C. Cook the potatoes for 4-5 minutes, until golden brown. Drain and place on several layers of kitchen paper to absorb excess oil. Sprinkle with salt and keep warm.

For the sauce, fry the onion in the butter until softened. Sprinkle over the flour and stir well. Gradually pour in the cider and stock, stirring constantly until slightly thickened. Add the thyme. Simmer for about 10 minutes over a moderate heat, until reduced by about half. Season to taste.