Pheasant

Pheasant is a lean, white-fleshed game bird that is raised commercially but rarely appears on American tables. This bird has the largest breast of all the game birds, but the meat is very lean and delicate and will be dry if overcooked. Farm-raised pheasant will remind one most of chicken because it’s typically raised on corn. If allowed a more natural diet of insects and nuts, the meat will be pinker and more flavorful. The flesh of true wild pheasant is redder and tastes gamier. Most pheasants at the market are between one and three pounds; if you have a choice, buy the plumper females. A flexible breastbone indicates the bird’s youth.