Small Bites
45 minutes
Dove hunting is as much about getting together with your friends to celebrate the beginning of hunting season as it is anything else. Almost every hunter I know only keeps the boneless skinless breasts of the doves, but I’m convinced that’s because they don’t realize just how easy it is to pluck a dove—they might be the easiest game birds to pluck you’ll find.
An easy and delicious way to prepare whole doves is to toss them in a quick marinade that doubles as a sauce and then cook them quickly on your smoker. This makes for a sweet and smoky combo that pairs beautifully with the dark, full-flavored meat.
8 whole doves, plucked and spatchcocked 2 tbsp. MeatEater Fully Flocked seasoning 3 tbsp. maple syrup 2½ tbsp. white soy sauce (substitute regular soy sauce) 1½ tbsp. dry sherry or mirin 2 tbsp. orange juice 1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper Arugula for garnish
Dove hunting is as much about getting together with your friends to celebrate the beginning of hunting season as it is anything else. Almost every hunter I know only keeps the boneless skinless breasts of the doves, but I’m convinced that’s because they don’t realize just how easy it is to pluck a dove—they might be the easiest game birds to pluck you’ll find.
An easy and delicious way to prepare whole doves is to toss them in a quick marinade that doubles as a sauce and then cook them quickly on your smoker. This makes for a sweet and smoky combo that pairs beautifully with the dark, full-flavored meat.
8 whole doves, plucked and spatchcocked 2 tbsp. MeatEater Fully Flocked seasoning 3 tbsp. maple syrup 2½ tbsp. white soy sauce (substitute regular soy sauce) 1½ tbsp. dry sherry or mirin 2 tbsp. orange juice 1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper Arugula for garnish