How to make Monica Galetti's partridge in a pear tree recipe

Monica Galetti’s partridge-in-a-pear-tree recipe is a labour of affection but with biscuit crumble and pistachio, it’s worth it

Partridge in a pear tree

Serves 4

1 whole partridge, plucked and gutted 
2 rashers of thin, streaky bacon
Olive oil, for cooking and dressing
1 tbsp salted butter
3 brussels sprouts, leaves separated
4 cooked chestnuts, thinly sliced
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Chestnut purée

125g cooked chestnuts
1 tsp butter
250ml chicken stock

Pears and sauce

2 small conference pears
400ml red wine
Zest and juice of 1 orange
80g granulated sugar
1 cinnamon stick
4 cloves
2 cardamom pods
1 star anise
200ml brown chicken stock
Knob of butter

CRUMBLE

1 tbsp crushed pistachios
1 tbsp chopped cooked chestnuts
1 tbsp crushed feuilletine biscuits

Remove the legs and wings from the partridge, keeping the breast on the bone. Wrap the bacon around a stainless steel baking rod or mould and cook, turning, under a hot grill until crispy; set aside. For the chestnut purée, put the chestnuts and butter in a pan and cook until coloured, then add the stock and simmer for about 8-10 minutes. Blitz until smooth, adding extra stock if needed. Keep warm.

For the pears and sauce, peel the pears and place in a small pan with the wine, orange zest and juice, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and star anise. Bring to the boil, then simmer until cooked through, about 20 minutes. Leave to cool in the liquid, then remove and reserve the pears. Strain 200ml of the cooking liquid into a pan and reduce to a thick consistency. Add the stock and reduce to a good sauce consistency, then remove from the heat and whisk in the butter. Set aside and keep warm.

Preheat the oven to 190C. Heat a non-stick ovenproof frying pan and drizzle in a little olive oil. Place the partridge skin-side down in the pan to colour. Turn over and sear on the other side. Add a knob of butter and transfer to the oven for 5-6 minutes, then remove and leave to rest for 5 minutes before removing the breasts from the pigeon. Pour out the cooking butter from the pan, add a fresh knob of butter and heat until just bubbling. Add the crumble ingredients to the pan and stir into the butter. Spoon over the partridge breasts.

Quickly toss the sprout leaves in a little oil or butter seasoned with salt and pepper. To serve, cut the pears into pieces. Place some chestnut purée on a plate. Place the partridge, bacon and the pears on the purée and sprinkle the sprout leaves over and around. Finish with a drizzle of the sauce, serving the rest on the side.

Extracted from ‘The Skills” by Monica Galetti (Quadrille, £20) Photography © Cristian Barnett