Medieval Meat

Lloyd talks briefly about medieval hunting, then cleans a small bird and cooks it in a small bird and bacon stew.

Small Bird and Bacon Stew with Walnuts or Hazelnuts

"The British Museum Cookbook by Michelle Berriedale-Johnson,
1987, British Museum Publications."

Serves 6

6 fatty rashers of bacon, chopped roughly
3 cloves garlic
4 pigeons or other 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
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, then add the ale and
water with the bay leaves.

Bring to the boil, cover and simmer very gently for 2 - 2 1/2 hours--
the birds 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 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.