Pigeon Hedgerow Salad Recipes

PIGEON & BEETROOT SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing by mixing the balsamic and olive oil together.
• Heat the oil in a frying pan. Add the garlic and rosemary, then the seasoned pigeon breasts. Cook for 3 mins on each side and remove to a plate.
• Divide the watercress between 4 plates, arrange the apple and beetroot over, then the sliced pigeon breasts. Scatter with hazelnuts, drizzle with the dressing and serve straight away.

ONE-PAN PIGEON BREAST WITH SPINACH & BACON

Steps:

• Heat half the butter in a large frying pan, then fry the bacon for 5 mins until starting to crisp. Transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon. Fry the bread in any leftover bacon fat for 1 min on each side until crisp and golden, then transfer to a plate and set aside.
• Season the pigeon generously with salt and pepper, and heat the remaining butter in the pan until sizzling. Sear the pigeon for 2-3 mins on each side until golden, then transfer to a chopping board and leave to rest.
• Return the fried bacon to the pan and turn up the heat. Scatter over the mushrooms and fry for 3-4 mins until softened, then add the spinach, season and splash in the vinegar. Turn the heat up to high and stir-fry until the spinach is wilted. Divide the spinach mixture between the fried bread slices. Finely slice the pigeon breasts, arrange over the spinach and serve.

TOOR DAL (SPLIT YELLOW PIGEON PEAS)

Steps:

• Prepare the dal: Soak the pigeon peas in a large bowl of warm water for about 1 hour. (They will have swelled a little.) Thoroughly rinse the soaked pigeon peas with fresh water, then tip the drained pigeon peas into a pot.
• Add tomatoes, turmeric, salt and 5 cups water, and bring to a boil over high. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until very tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Use an immersion blender to purée some of the dal, leaving some intact and getting some very smooth, or whisk vigorously to break up some of the soft dal. Stir in the peanuts and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the dal is very tender, about 30 minutes. Taste and adjust with salt. If the dal has become too thick for your liking, stir in a splash of water.
• Prepare the tempering: In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the ghee. When hot, carefully add all of the tempering ingredients (the mustard seeds will sputter!) and swirl the pan until you can smell all the toasted spices, about 30 seconds. Pour everything over the hot dal.