GAME TERRINE
GAME TERRINE
GAME TERRINE

Ingredients
  • selection of lean game meat
  • about 1kg/2¼lb in all
  • which could include:
  • breasts of pheasant (hung about 5 days)
  • breasts of pigeon
  • breasts of duck or other wild fowl
  • saddle and hindquarters of 1 rabbit
  • boned
  • saddle and hindquarters of hare
  • boned
  • lean strips of venison (from the leg or fillet)
  • oil or fat
  • for frying
  • 500g/1lb2oz sausage meat
  • livers from all the game
  • finely chopped
  • 2 handfuls fresh white breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tbsp parsley
  • finely chopped
  • few sprigs of thyme
  • leaves removed and chopped
  • 5-6 juniper berries
  • crushed in pestle and mortar
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • finely chopped
  • splash of brandy
  • splash of red wine
  • salt and pepper
  • 300g/10½oz streaky bacon
  • flattened with the back of a knife
Directions
  • In a large mixing bowl combine the sausage meat and the chopped livers from the game.
  • Next add the breadcrumbs
  • egg
  • parsley
  • thyme
  • juniper berries and garlic. Then the wine and brandy
  • season with the salt and pepper and mix everything together thoroughly
  • preferably with your hands.
  • Cut the game meat into roughly same-size strips
  • about 2 fingers thick.
  • In a heavy-based frying pan heat the fat or oil and fry the game pieces for 2 minutes until nicely browned.
  • Line a loaf tin or ceramic terrine dish with the stretched rashers of streaky bacon. Add a layer of forcemeat followed by a layer of game meat
  • then a layer of forcemeat followed by another layer of game meat. (If you like
  • you can put the same kind of meat in each layer
  • ie a layer of rabbit
  • a layer of pigeon and then a layer of pheasant). However many layers you make (I usually go for three) be sure to finish with a layer of the forcemeat.
  • Fold the exposed strips of bacon over the top of the terrine and cover well with kitchen foil. If your terrine dish has a lid on it so much the better.
  • Place the terrine dish in a roasting tin half-filled with hot water. Cook in the oven at 160C/325F/Gas 3 for approximately 1½-2 hours. Test with a skewer to see if it is cooked
  • if the skewer does not come out of the terrine piping hot then it is not ready.
  • For the best possible texture and easy slicing
  • your terrine should be pressed as it cools. Find a piece of wood or plastic that fits snugly inside the terrine dish and weigh it down with a brick or two. (Another similar size dish or loaf tin with a brick inside often does the trick
  • but wrap it in cling film if you're using a tin.) Leave the terrine until completely cold for several hours or overnight.
  • To serve the terrine
  • slice it thickly with a very sharp knife
  • put on a plate with a small salad of lightly dressed green leaves and a blob of good fruit chutney. Serve with hot toast.