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Grouse Northwoods

The is a simple grouse recipe that has a fantastic mixture of wild rice, cranberries and mushrooms to go with it -- all three are signature flavors of the Northwoods where grouse live. If you can't get your hands on grouse, any white meat bird will do.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 408 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups wild rice, divided
  • 3 cups grouse or chicken stock
  • Breasts from 4 grouse, skinned with tenders removed
  • salt
  • 1/4 cup Butter, divided
  • 1/2 cup rye, barley or whole wheat flour
  • 1 to 2 pounds fresh mushrooms, any kind
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 cup cranberries
  • 1/4 cup fruit syrup (see above)
  • 1/3 cup cider vinegar

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Salt the grouse breasts well and set aside at room temperature.
  2. Simmer 1 cup wild rice in the grouse or chicken broth until tender, anywhere from 20 minutes to 50 minutes depending on whether you have real, parched wild rice or the cultivated variety. When the rice is done, drain and set aside in a covered bowl.
  3. Grind the remaining wild rice in a spice grinder into a powder; there will still be some larger bits, and this is OK. It adds some texture. Mix this with the rye flour and dredge the grouse breasts in it.
  4. Heat 3 tablespoons of butter in a large saute pan and saute the grouse breasts until they are just barely done, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Set them aside.
  5. Put the remaining butter in the pan and turn the heat to high. Add all the mushrooms. Shake the pan as you do this so they don't all stick to the bottom. If some do, that's OK. Keep searing and shaking the pan until the mushrooms give up their water. Sprinkle them with salt and add the garlic and thyme. Let the mushrooms sear without moving the pan for 1-2 minutes: You want them to get some browning. Stir the mushrooms and repeat until you get them as browned as you want -- I like them to be about halfway browned, which takes about 8 minutes.
  6. Add cranberries and toss to combine. Cook until they just start popping, then add the wild rice, vinegar and fruit syrup. Toss to combine and serve with the grouse.

Notes

  • Serve this with a light red wine or a zippy white like a Viognier or Albarino. Beer is also a good choice. A simple green salad rounds it all out.

Nutrition Information

Calories 408kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 61g (20%) Protein 14g (28%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Cholesterol 31mg (10%) Sodium 161mg (7%) Potassium 508mg (15%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 370IU (7%) Vitamin C 4mg (4%) Calcium 34mg (3%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 408

% Daily Value*

Calories 408kcal 20%
Carbohydrates 61g 20%
Protein 14g 28%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 31mg 10%
Sodium 161mg 7%
Potassium 508mg 11%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 370IU 7%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 34mg 3%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.