Bacon-wrapped dove poppers
The tailgate recipe that ends the argument about how to cook a dove. Breast your birds, wrap them hot and fast, and get them off the grill with a warm pink center.
You will need
- Dove breasts (2 fillets per bird)
- Jalapeños, seeded and halved
- Cream cheese
- Thin-cut bacon
- Toothpicks
- Nitrile gloves
- Ice in the field, not a hot tailgate
The method
- Stuff. A smear of cream cheese in each jalapeño half, then a dove breast.
- Wrap. One strip of bacon, toothpick to hold.
- Grill hot. High heat until bacon renders and the breast is just pink.
- Don't overcook. Past pink it turns dry and livery — that's where doves get their reputation.
Wear gloves when you clean birds and get them onto ice in the field. Same cool-fast rule as Issue #7.