Shooting UK

Shooting UK is your complete shooting resource. From gun reviews to shotgun licence and firearms certificate information, to clay pigeon shooting, game shooting, shooting lessons and gundog training.

Spectacular spatchcocked snipe

By Mark Hinge

Sunday, 04 April 2010

Snipe marinated in wine and herbs makes an ideal starter or light meal

Fourteen shots fired and just two snipe in the bag — not a good ratio, but in my defence it was raining hard. Very hard. As I picked up the wet snipe I had he idea of soaking them overnight then grilling them and serving with salad.

Ingredients (for two)

• two snipe • half a bottle of white or rosé wine • juice of half a lemon • half a tbsp white wine vinegar • one tbsp soy sauce • three garlic cloves, chopped or crushed • a handful of fresh tarragon • salt and pepper • olive oil
Method

1. Mix the wine, lemon juice, wine vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and tarragon in a saucepan. Season and bring to the boil. As soon as it boils remove from the heat and leave it for at least three hours to cool completely, then empty the contents into a bowl.

2. Meanwhile, pluck and draw the snipe and remove its head, neck and legs. Turn the carcase over in your hand, breast-side down and using a sharp pair of scissors, cut up both sides of the backbone to open it out (spatchcock). Place the snipe in the cold marinade then cover the bowl and leave it in the fridge for 24 hours.

3. Place some tinfoil on a grill pan. Dry off the snipe and place them breast upwards on the foil. Brush over some olive oil, give a good grind of salt and pepper and cook on a medium heat for around 15-18 minutes until the juices run clear when pricked with a knife. Serve with some salad.

Tips

Make sure the snipe are fully covered in the marinade — if not, add some more wine. The flavour of the overnight marinade permeates right through the meat — trust me, you will never have tasted anything like this before. Spatchcocking the snipe makes it flatter so it will cook evenly. Cooking on tinfoil retains the juices, allowing you to baste if necessary.



CompNext
French style snipe

French style snipe

They say the French have flair. Well, this is a ty...


Guns

Yildiz SPZ ME Lux Special

Yildiz SPZ ME Lux Special

With modern factories and a ready supply of beautiful walnut, Turkey h... Read more


More in Guns...


Sporting Answers

Should I feed my puppy BARF?

Should I feed my puppy BARF?

I have recently acquired a 12-week-old springer pup. I'm currentl... Read more


More in Sporting Answers...


News

League caught trespassing

League caught trespassing

Video becomes an Internet hit after employees of LACS are snar... Read more


More in News...


Comments

Shooting Times Magazine

What's in this issue?

Don't miss this week's issue (on sale Wednesday 16th May). FREE PRIZE DRAW: Win a Browning T-bolt.22 and Winchester ammo. Graham Downing gives his tips on where to find the best foreign sport! For all this and a whole lot more buy your copy today!

Subscribe to magazine


Subscribe to Shooting Times

Shooting Gazette Magazine

Save up to 31% on a subscription to Shooting Times & Country Magazine, subscribe today and perfect gift this Christmas.


Bowman trap

Don't miss your chance to win this fantastic Supermatch One

Enter competition