Eating Ostrich

We've had a great week here at the Thigpen house! My sister is still here from Charleston, SC. We've spent 3 days in LA and yeasterday we went to Red Rock Canyon, the Tae Go Sa Buddhist temple in Sand Canyon, and toured the local Ostrich Ranch.

it was a very busy but very fun day. Here is my FAVORITE recipe for Ostrich meat. Yes, it's from foodnetwork.com...Enjoy!!!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder (may substitute with other chile powders)
• 1 tablespoon coarse ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 ostrich tenderloin, trimmed, left whole
• Salt, to taste

Directions

Prepare a hot, cleaned and oiled grill. On a plate, mix together the chile powder, black pepper and sugar. Season the tenderloin with salt and roll in the spice mix. Place tenderloin on the grill and cook on all sides for a total cooking time of only 5 to 7 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. We want the meat rare and warm on the inside.

BLACK BEAN-CORN SUCCOTASH:

• Canola oil, to cook
• 2 slices minced bacon
• 1 cup soaked black beans, drained (save bean water)
• 1 large onion, small dice
• 1 large carrot, small dice
• 1 large rib celery, small dice
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon washed, minced fermented black beans
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Bean water, to cover
• 2 cups shucked corn (or frozen)
• 1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar or balsamic

In a heavy saucepan, coat with oil and saute bacon until brown. Add the beans, onion, carrot, celery, garlic and fermented beans. Saute for 3 minutes. Season and cover with bean water. Check for seasoning. Cook on low heat until beans are soft but still intact, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Add corn and vinegar and cook 5 minutes more. Check again for seasoning.

• GINGER-ORANGE SYRUP
• 2 cups fresh orange juice
• 2 large slices peeled ginger
• 2 oranges, zested

In a non-reactive pan, bring juice and ginger to a simmer. Reduce by 80 percent until syrupy.

PLATING Family Style: on large oval, place a mound of the succotash in the middle. Surround with ostrich slices and drizzle on syrup. Garnish with orange zest.

WINE: Chilled Gamay from Beaujolais (Fleurie or Chiroubles)