By Chef Jacques Haeringer
Print Recipe
Serves: 4 Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 45 minutes
Goose:
4 wild goose legs Sea salt Freshly ground pepper 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 4 bacon strips 3 onions, peeled and sliced 4 cloves garlic 1 teaspoon dried thyme or fresh sprig of thyme 3 cups of your favorite beer, or enough to cover legs 8 ounces blueberries Spätzle:
1 ½ cups sifted all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon sea salt Freshly ground pepper Pinch of nutmeg 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 2 whole eggs â…› cup water 2 tablespoons butter Goose Directions :
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Slice off any loose pieces of skin. Season legs on all sides with salt and pepper and dredge with flour, shaking off any excess. In a pan just large enough to accommodate four goose legs, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add bacon strips and saute until browned. Remove bacon strips with slotted spoon and reserve. Add seasoned goose legs and brown on all sides. Add onions and simmer until onions are translucent (about 4 minutes). Add garlic, thyme and enough beer to cover the legs. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until the legs are tender, about 35 to 40 minutes. Cooking times will vary depending on the size of the goose legs. Test for doneness with a fork, meat should be tender and juices will be clear. Remove from heat, taste broth and adjust seasonings. Spätzle Directions:
Place flour in a large mixing bowl with the salt, nutmeg, pepper and parsley. Break eggs into a small bowl and beat well with a fork. Gradually pour eggs into flour, mixing thoroughly with your hand or flexible rubber spatula. Add water a little at a time and mix until dough no longer adheres to the sides of the bowl. The dough should be rather firm, the consistency of a thick batter. Bring two quarts water with two tablespoons of salt to a rapid boil. Cover pot of water with a spätzle maker or colander with large holes (¼- to â…œ-inch in diameter). Force dough through the holes with the rubber spatula. Use about one-third of the dough at a time. Allow spätzle to cook until they rise to the surface, about 3 to 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked spätzle into a large bowl of cold water. Repeat until all the dough is used. Thoroughly drain spätzle in a colander. Melt butter in a skillet. When the butter begins to brown, add spätzle and saute for 1 to 2 minutes until hot. Season with salt and pepper. Advertisement
To Serve:
Place one goose leg on each warmed plate. Spoon two to three tablespoons broth over each leg. Scatter ¼ blueberries on to plates and arrange a bacon strip over each goose leg. Serve with rice or spätzle.
About the Author:
Chef Jacques Haeringer is a hunter, wild game culinary expert and frequent "Today Show" guest. For more on his books, classes and renowned restaurants, L'Auberge Chez Francois and Jacques' Brasserie, visit here . For more of Jacques' recipes, visit his site .
