LIVING

SEASON’S EATINGS

Savour the best ingredients and flavours winter has to offer with these recipes shared by the Countess of Carnarvon, chatelaine of Highclere Castle – the main filming location for Downton Abbey

ROAST PHEASANT WITH SMOKED BACON

Serves 2 Preparation time 20 minutes Cooking time 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

• 1 oven-ready pheasant• 1 tbsp oil• Salt and freshly ground black pepper• 2-3 slices dry-cured bacon for covering the breast, plus 80g/31/4oz, diced• 1 small onion, peeled and sliced• 2 carrots, roughly chopped• 1 leek, trimmed, roughly chopped and well rinsed• A sprig of rosemary• 1 clove garlic, crushed• 100ml/4fl oz red wine• 100ml/4fl oz vegetable, chicken or game stock• A small handful of fresh sage leaves, chopped• 2 bay leaves