(Photo courtesy of Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley)
The slow cooker is a mainstay in many homes. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it type of cooking, one that allows busy families to prepare meals in advance with little oversight. Dishes are assembled the night before to be ready by morning, or prepared in the morning to be ready after school or work. The slow cooker is also a useful tool in cooking wild game, which makes it popular among hunters.
Game Bird Chili Verde Recipe A bowl of delicious game bird chili verde. (Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley photo) This chili recipe works with just about any ground wild game, but if you’re looking at game birds, then ground pheasant or wild turkey are my picks. This recipe borrows from white and red chili, as I use white beans but also go heavy on the chili powder. It’s a good compromise with upland game birds or wild turkey, which can stand a little more spice but isn’t overpowered by darker red or black beans.
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Duck and Beans Recipe A hearty, protein-rich stew that will satisfy the biggest appetites. (Photo By: Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley) Here’s a go-to recipe for wintertime: pieces of tender duck legs slowly simmered with creamy cannellini beans, sausage and kale. Serve this hearty stew with crusty bread, and you’ve got a protein-rich meal that will satisfy the hungriest eaters. Prepare it the night before and It’ll be ready in the morning for you to take to the duck blind.
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Pheasant and Quinoa Soup Recipe A bowl of pheasant and quinoa soup. (Photo By: Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley) Health-conscious hunters might appreciate this recipe. This light game soup includes quinoa and brown rice, along with a good dose of fresh vegetables. Because of the addition of rice, the soup will thicken as it sits, so keep extra chicken stock on hand. For better flavor, substitute salt with Knorr chicken granulated bouillon to taste.
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Duck in Apple Cider Recipe Apples and ducks make a nice pairing; if you don't enjoy duck because of its gamey flavor, try slow-cooking it in apple cider. This recipe was inspired by my husband’s cousin, Keith Brown of Lincoln, Nebraska. Keith is a die-hard waterfowl hunter and often talks of cooking his ducks in the slow cooker with spiced apple cider, which complements the gaminess of waterfowl.
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BBQ Game Bird Meatballs Recipe Portable and reheats well, these wild turkey meatballs will become a favorite in your rotation of appetizers. If there’s a gathering in Nebraska, chances are there will be meatballs being warmed in a slow cooker somewhere. These made-from-scratch game bird meatballs taste so much better than the pre-made, frozen stuff people normally buy.
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