Game birds

By Paul Fulford on Aug 12, 08 10:25 AM

It's probably not a day you'd want to celebrate if you were a game bird, but Ilet's hear a cheer for the Glorious Twelfth.

August 12 is the day when the grouse shooting season returns and, though I rarely eat that particular bird, the date still resonates because it means there'll soon be plenty of other game on the shelves.

I love the pronounced flavour of fowl such as pheasant, mallard and partridge, especially after the lighter tastes of summer.

For a sun worshipper such as me, autumn and winter have few consolations.

But a serving of wild duck breast, served rare and accompanied by a sweet and sour red onion jam, just about makes the colder weather bearable, especially with a bottle of pinot noir.

Sorry, my feathered friends, but you're fair game.