Goose

alimog

I just got a large egg in time for Christmas, and I'm planning to cook 2 9 lb. geese. I was originally going to use the oven but figured I might do it in the egg instead if I can figure it out...anyone have any experience cooking a goose? Would the methods used for turkeys be the way to go?

Richard Fl

Have never eaten one,but would like to!

Goose, Christmas, Irishhog

I cooked one a few years ago on a turkey cone, which I set in a stainless steel bowl to catch the fats. If you have never cooked goose be ready for a large amount of fat which if not collected will drip onto the coals and cause problems as it burns off. Prod the skin of the goose with a fork, but be careful not to go through to the meat. As the fat renders it will run out of the skin and into your collection bowl. Use this fat later for roasting potatoes, in Ireland it is traditional (but not very healthy) to roast potatoes in goose fat, because it takes high heat, and imparts great flavour. Boil the peeled potatoes for 3 or 4 minutes and then toss into very hot goose fat in a roasting tin, and roast in an oven or the egg for up to 1 hour depending on size.To go back to the goose, it goes very well with homemade apple sauce, and potato stuffing. Chunks of apple pushed into the cavity before cooking also impart great flavour.I cooked a goose for the open catagory of a competition a few years ago and scored second place in the competition. Goose is a lovely meal, but it is important to release as much fat as possible as you cook the meat, and believe me if this is your first goose, you will be amased by the amount of fat which is released.P.S. goose grease is also a good cure for stiff joints and back ache. Just rub it into the the sore area and you will get great relief, another Irish remedy to a common problem.

Recipe Type
Main Dish, Poultry

Recipe Source
Source: BGE Forum, Irishhog, 2007/12/19

James MB

Be prepared for the fat and for heaven's sake make sure you save it. I tend to put it in jars on the night a bit like jam making. It sounds pretty gross but once you've had roast potatoes in goose fat you'll be glad of the odd jar and will even pass them to friends!

I would be wary of trying the egg for a first goose cook - fat and smoke have to be brought together very carefully and the risk of disaster sounds too high for me. Overflowing fat and coals come to mind, it'd be a shame to mess with such a nice basic ingredient. Start with something easy (and "safe").

Goose is a great meal, enjoy it, I'm a little jealous as we haven't got one this year (a break in our pattern).

irishrog

Richard,
Thanks for saving the trouble of typing out these details again. I saw the thread and was going to reply, then decided to read the other replies before I got down to it.
You saved me the trouble, so many thanks, and seasons greetings from Ireland where it is very warm for the time of year (55F), and it is not even raining at the moment.

Richard Fl

You are welcome. We are having Irish Whiskey and eggnog. What do you drink this time of year for the holidays? Happy Holidays

alimog

I was going to give it a trial run on something other than goose tomorrow probably, but I am nervous about screwing things up...I wasn't planning to smoke them though. Thanks for the replies though, I'm going to have to think about it...

irishrog

In Ireland we still enjoy a good drop of whiskey, and this year I have been given a bottle of 25 year old Bushmills Malt which was aged in oak, I am really looking forward to that on Christmas Day.
Guinness always goes down well here but I must admit I enjoy a glass of Sauvignon Blanc with my Turducken.
I got my free range turkey delivered this morning. It still has everything except the feathers (head, feet, innards etc.) and at the moment weighs in at 32 pounds. It was reared by my brother in law, on his farm where it lived mostly in the fields and yards along with a small flock of 12 birds. I have a bit of butchering to do tonight to make my turducken but I enjoy that part of the Christmas ritual.
Best wishes for a happy and peaceful Christmas from Ireland.