The Season For Partridge!

Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 4 oven–ready partridges.
• Olive oil.
• 250ml/9fl oz dry cider.
• 2 tbsp clear honey.
• 200ml/7fl oz chicken stock.
• 1 butternut squash or similar, peeled and cut into 1in/2.5cm chunks.
• A few thyme sprigs, leaves stripped.

Method:

1. Heat oven to 220C/gas mark 7.
2. Cut the backbones out of the partridges using a strong pair of kitchen scissors or poultry shears.
3. Turn the bird over, then use your bodyweight and press down on the middle of the breast with the heel of your hand, until the partridge flattens out.
4. Heat a little oil in a large non-stick pan.
5. Season the birds with salt and pepper, then brown them quickly, 2 at a time, in the pan.
6. Lift out and set aside.
7. Mix the cider with the honey, reserve one-third of the mix, then tip the rest into the pan to deglaze.
8. Stir in the stock, then reduce the liquid down for 5 mins or until you have a syrupy sauce.
9. Season to taste.
10. Pop the squash into a mixing bowl, toss with most of the thyme, seasoning, a little of the reserved cider mix and 1 tbsp olive oil.
11. Tip onto a non-stick baking tray, then roast for 30 mins.
12. Now toss the partridges in what’s left of the cider mix.
13. Grind lots of black pepper over and scatter with a good sprinkling of salt.
14. Nestle the partridges amongst the squash, breast-side up.
15. Sprinkle with a little more thyme.
16. Roast for 15 mins, then remove the birds and let them rest.
17. Turn off the oven and keep the squash warm.
18. Cut the birds into quarters and serve on top of pile of squash.
19. Drizzle around a little of the sauce and scatter with a little thyme to serve.