Newsletter September 2003
Modern Country Living - Domestic Bliss
Game On: Honey Duckie!
Here we are again back at what I call the start
of my year. I always associate going back to school/September
as the start of a new year. Well it makes sense to me, we have
had the darkest days of winter (December January February), the
breeziest days of spring (March April May) and the most glorious
days of summer (June July August). So you see now why my year
starts with autumn (September October November) children going
back to school and the crispiest apples around. I can get on with
life and breathe a sigh of relief that the summer buzz of endless
trips to the beach, sailing and picnics is over for another year.
Out with the oilskins in with the waxed jackets. Well not quite
waxed anymore, the other day I brought out my shooting suit for
an airing. I always get loads of compliments when out shooting
about my shooting suit. About 10 years ago I went to Holland and
Holland (0207 408 7921) to get kitted out. We had been invited
to go shooting in France and knowing I was going to be up against
stiff shooting couture competition I wanted to keep the British
end up and show them how it’s really done! So off I toddled to
Holland & Holland. They looked after me magnificently and
to this day although my suit has been through rain, mud, hail
and manure, it still looks good. I always feel very confident
when I go out in it and even if I do say so myself, (modesty never
was my strong point) I look very glam in a -tweedy smelly labrador-
sort of way. It is also a bit of a “gun” magnet – it gives them
a good opening line because something that you rarely see is a
woman out shooting in a skirt. Now a days Holland and Holland
has gone distinctly “Urropeeon” and their “Hunting Range” is for
shooting so don’t be alarmed by the misuse of the word hunting
on our shores. Great style meets practicality and all the tweeds
used in the shooting wear are both thorn proof and water resistant
from Scotland. A great tip given to me by a very elegant mature,
and it has to be said, continental Baroness, is to always wear
cashmere stockings and suspenders when shooting - I had always
thought the easy access she referred to was to do with al fresco
lavatory arrangements but on reflection….
Recipe:
Duck Salad with Honey dressing
Serves 4
4 cooked duck breasts still pink in the middle but
with a crispy skin
Depending on the season, chicory leaves or frisee lettuce or a
bag of mixed bitter greens
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1tbsp walnut oil
2tbsp grape seed oil
1tsp raw honey – Honey straight form the hive – no heat applied
look at farmers markets
Salt and pepper
1tsp Dijon mustard
Handful of walnuts, chopped and toasted
Handful of seedless grapes – green or red - cut in half
First make the dressing. Whisk the vinegar, honey,
mustard, salt, pepper and oils together. Check for seasoning and
set a side.
Slice the Duck breasts thinly and pour over a tbsp
of the dressing and toss them in it. You can do this ahead of
time. When you are ready to serve the salad, Put the salad leaves
into a large bowl and throw in the walnuts and grapes. Spoon in
some dressing and toss well. Divide the salad between 4 plates
then top the salad with the duck slices. Drizzle over any remaining
dressing and serve straight away. This is a great stand by and
is equally good with cooked pheasant breasts and instead of grapes
scatter over pomegranate seeds.
Tip: With the shooting season racing towards us,
we will be inundated with mouths to feed in between drives and
great gastronomic treats and a new selection of hampers and foodie
pressies can be found on the Simply Salmon website – www.simplysalmon.co.uk
- or phone 01799 550143 for a brochure. I am always on the look
out for easy delicious things to store in my pantry so order away!
This article by Amy Willcock appears
in The Shooting Gazette September 2003, and is reproduced here
with permission.
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