Pheasant & wild rice casserole

Ingredients:
400g/14oz pheasant, diced 

250g/9oz wild rice 

225g/8oz mushrooms, sliced

75g/3oz butter 

1 onion, chopped

50g/2oz plain flour 

300ml/10fl oz chicken stock 

300ml/10fl oz milk 

2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 

50g/2oz slivered almonds, toasted 

salt and freshly ground black pepper

Methods:
1) Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas mark 4. • Poach the pheasant in simmering water for 1 hour or until tender.

2) Prepare the rice according to the packet instructions. • Sauté the mushrooms in half of the butter, then remove from the pan and reserve. Sauté the onion in the remaining butter until softened. Remove from the heat, and stir in the flour until smooth. Gradually stir the stock into the flour mixture, then add the milk. Return to the heat and cook, stirring constantly, until thick.

3) Add the rice, mushrooms, pheasant and parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Transfer the mixture to a large casserole dish, and sprinkle with the almonds. Bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes. Serve hot.