THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
Planning something special for Valentine's Day? How about a picnic of game-based natural meat products that are better for the environment and just happen to taste blissful as well.
Wild and Game, a company based in Bristol in the west of England that offers wild game via its website and retailers, has put together a picnic selection of pâtés, pies, salami and sausage rolls, together with little pots of chutney to complement them all.
As always, The American tries products before reviewing them or recommending them. What did we think? Put it this way, our team sat down for an afternoon break with the picnic laid out before us. When we left, there wasn't a crumb or a scrap left. Sorry office dog!
The four pâtés each had a unique flavor that was part 'what it says on the label' and part 'burst with unexpected taste'. Not too strong and gamy, but distinct. We tried them with toasted wholemeal bread. They were (with our comments): Pheasant, Pistachio & Port (spicy, nutty); Grouse, Brandy & Herb tangy, you can really taste the brandy); Venison Gin & Juniper (deep and rich); and Partridge, Gin & Pear (still rich, but sweeter and fruity).
Alongside sat (for a short while) two large sausage rolls made with Venison and Pheasant, six individual 'dinky game pies' made with pork and pheasant, and some stunning wild venison salami
Don't be scared of game. If you didn't know, you think the salami, pies and sausage rolls were 'just' very well made regular products – but more luscious and tasty than usual. chutneys to enjoy with them. The chutney selections were Caramelised Onion Marmalade, Spicy Tomato & Caramelised Onion, Thai Garlic & Lime; and Spicy Garlic & Wasabi. As with the pâtés, each of us had our favorite – you'll just have to try them and see which is yours.
If you're worried about farmed meat, or want a more sustainable alternative, or just was fabulous well-made tasty products, Wild & Game's gamy delights could be the perfect alternative. Game is free of added hormones and unnatural inputs, low in fat & cholesterol and has low food miles and carbon footprint. Most game lives in moorland and other land unsuitable for farming, and the animals live wild and eat a varied diet creating a unique flavour.
The Wild and Game Valentine's Picnic Box costs £39.99 and can be delivered to your home.
www.wildandgame.co.uk
