LAWRENCE MURPHY: Pigeon with leeks, seed and honey dressing

I woke on Monday and was pleasantly surprised the sun was shining in a blue sky. Spring was definitely here.
Pigeon with leeks and a seed and honey dressingPigeon with leeks and a seed and honey dressing
Pigeon with leeks and a seed and honey dressing

A quick lunch was required before getting out on the bike to Stoughton for some wild garlic.

I had a few leeks, rosemary and spring onions in the fridge, the basis for my lunch.

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If you can’t get hold of pigeons, try this as a side dish with roast lamb.

INGREDIENTS (serves four)

8 pigeon breasts

2 small leeks

4 spring onions

Tablespoon pumpkin seeds

Tablespoon sunflower seeds

Teaspoon chopped rosemary

Tablespoon honey

Olive oil

METHOD

1. Gently pan-fry the seeds in a dry pan until just colouring.

2. Add the rosemary and honey and coat the seeds. Remove from heat.

3. Slice the leeks across the round in a diagonal.

4. Rub with olive oil and griddle for two minutes on each side.

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5. Pan-fry the pigeon breasts in a little olive oil in a hot pan for two minutes each side. Season in the pan and allow to rest for three minutes.

6. Slice the spring onions into diagonals and toss into the seeds with a splash of olive oil . Season to taste.

7. Arrange the leeks on four plates; top with the pigeon and drizzle over the seeds and honey dressing.

• Lawrence’s restaurant is Fat Olives, Emsworth. fatolives.co.uk, 01243 377 914.

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