Recipe: Cheesy Pheasant Casserole

by
posted on December 29, 2018
cheesypheasantcasserole_lead.jpg

Casseroles often get a bad rap and are thought of as a concoction for someone that doesn’t know how to cook. The best way to avoid the stigma is to remove the word casserole from the recipe name, and replace it with a description like gourmet creamy, cheesy pheasant.

Pheasant can be challenging to cook, with a tendency to dry out and cook fast. Preparing the pheasant for this recipe by simmering the meat in chicken stock is a great way to ensure it stays moist. Depending on your preferences for spice, you can use hot chilies in the recipe or something milder like red peppers or pimento.

Ingredients
• 2 whole pheasants
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 1 lb fresh asparagus
• 6 hard-boiled eggs
• ¾ cup butter
• ½ cup flour
• 4 cup milk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup cheddar, grated (aged adds more flavor)
• 1 can pimiento or red chilies
• 3 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Directions
1. Place pheasants in boiling chicken stock and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove pheasants from stock, let cool, and debone the meat and cut it into cubes.
2. Wash asparagus, snap off and discard cut ends, and slice remainder into one-inch pieces.
3. Hard boil six eggs then peel and chop.
4. Melt ½ cup of butter and whisk in flour to make a roux. Add the milk, salt, pepper and constantly stir until the mixture thickens.
5. Add eggs, cheese and pimientos to the mixture, and stir well to complete the white sauce.
6. Place 1½ cups of seasoned bread crumbs in a lightly buttered 10-inch Camp Chef Dutch oven (2-quart casserole dish). Add a layer of white sauce, then a layer of pheasant and asparagus. Repeat layers with a final topping of white sauce.
7. Top the dish with 1½ cups of seasoned bread crumbs and drizzle with ¼ cup of melted butter.
8. Bake at 350°F or until top is browned.

Latest

Draper Shooting S20 Hunter
Draper Shooting S20 Hunter

#SundayGunday: Sako S20 Hunter

Get a closer look at the Sako S20 Hunter, the latest addition to our #SundayGunday series.

Local Legends: Why Butch and Harold Still Prowl the Big Woods

The experience of two Vermont hunters shows it’s never too late to find a new hunting partner.

Non-Toxic Shot Roundup

Contributor Mike Roux discusses the ins and outs of non-toxic shot with his audience.

First Look: Garmin GPSMAP 67 and eTrex SE Handheld GPS Units

Whether you want a high-tech hunting device that’s loaded with sophisticated features or simply need an easy-to-use GPS to avoid getting lost in the woods, Garmin’s new handhelds have you covered.

Henry Repeating Arms Donates $25,000 to Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

Henry Repeating Arms has announced a donation of $25,000 to Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever as part of its $1 million silver anniversary pledge and the company’s commitment to safeguarding America’s outdoors and hunting traditions.

Hardware: CVA Cascade XT

The new XT (X-Treme) is CVA’s precision-oriented rifle in the company’s popular Cascade rifle series, and boasts several features that make it an ideal multipurpose hunting rifle. 

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.