This recipe is inspired by the book “The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen” by Sean Sherman. We have made adjustments using our favorite SweetGrass Trading Co. products.
Brining duck and pheasant helps make them juicier and tender, and the smoking process adds the flavor of an open flame. Brining seasons the meat and helps infuse moisture to keep it juicy. We recommend leaving the skin on to keep them from drying out.
Shred the cooked meat and serve with corn cakes or a drizzle of Wojape. Plan on a 12-hour brine followed by a 5-hour smoke. Serves 4 to 6.
Rinse and thoroughly clean the pheasants or duck. In a large container, combine salt, sugar and water until dissolved. Immerse the birds in the container and brine in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours and up to 18 hours. Remove and pat dry. Allow the birds to sit for 1-3 hours until the skin is dry to the touch.
Smoke the birds over hard wood (hickory) for at least 3 hours at 200° to 250°F. After 1 hour, baste with the maple syrup every 30 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and type of bird. Use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness. It should read 160°F when the birds are ready.
Remove to a cooling rack, baste one more time and cool.
Ingredients
Directions
Rinse and thoroughly clean the pheasants or duck. In a large container, combine salt, sugar and water until dissolved. Immerse the birds in the container and brine in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours and up to 18 hours. Remove and pat dry. Allow the birds to sit for 1-3 hours until the skin is dry to the touch.
Smoke the birds over hard wood (hickory) for at least 3 hours at 200° to 250°F. After 1 hour, baste with the maple syrup every 30 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and type of bird. Use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness. It should read 160°F when the birds are ready.
Remove to a cooling rack, baste one more time and cool.