Breast of Pheasant Grand-mere

Yield: 4 servings 

2 (3 lb) pheasants 

1 tsp. salt dash of freshly ground pepper 

1 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary 

1/2 c. flour 

1.2 c. unsalted butter 

8 slices lean bacon, coarsely cut 

12 large white button mushrooms, quartered 

1/4 c. brandy 

1 c. dry white wine 

2 medium potatoes, peeled, boiled, and diced 

1/2 c. pearl onions, boiled and stemmed 

roasted sweet peppers (optional) 

chopped fresh parsley (optional) 

fresh rosemary spring (optional) 

Remove pheasant breasts by cutting with a sharp knife along breastbone to wing bone; save remainder for another use. Sprinkle breasts with salt, pepper, and chopped rosemary, and dust lightly with flour. Melt butter in a heavy skillet (one without a nonstick finish), and sauté breasts over low heat for 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove breasts, reserving drippings, and place in shallow baking dish; set aside. Sauté bacon and mushrooms in same skillet until bacon is cooked but not crisp. Add brandy, and flambé, lighting carefully with a taper match from a safe distance. Stir in wine, potatoes, and onions, and spoon over pheasants. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes, or until pheasants are done. Garnish with roasted peppers, parsley, and rosemary sprig. Note: For a lower-fat dish, remove skin from breasts, reduce butter to 1/4 cup, and use only 4 slices of bacon.