Changing the Game

Book excerpt: Changing the Game is intended to provide the do-it-yourself sportsman with detailed guidance and proven, time-tested techniques that will optimize the enjoyment of his or her harvest, taking it from field to fork, and for home cooks who are hunting for new ways to up their food game. Author Craig Tomsky grew up in a traditional Italian household in Northern New Jersey, where he was accustomed to good food-really good food. He has coupled his uncompromising love of such fare with his passion for hunting for more than 30 years, and has identified key factors that will reduce and, in most cases, eliminate the undesirable "gamey" flavors that all too often result from inadequately processed and prepared game. He has also developed and refined with his personal flair many recipes from family and friends over the years to not only complement each game's most desirable flavors, but to help you truly transform your game meat into delicious finished dishes. Changing the Game is a total playbook that takes the reader from caring for the game after the harvest through Craig's "keys to changing the game"-specific techniques used during the butchering and preservation processes that will positively impact the flavor and tenderness of the meat. It also lays out a roadmap and recommends equipment the reader can use to expediently and efficiently process various types of game meat. Explanations that support the findings and preparation techniques are provided in relatable layman's terms via anecdotes that are sprinkled throughout the book.Changing the Game finishes with a multitude of delicious recipes-some new, many traditional-that reflect the many cultures that make up this great country of ours. They have been enhanced by game meat as well as Craig's selection and use of complementary ingredients to achieve complex yet delicate flavor profiles for each dish. Changing the Game also contains recipes for side dishes and desserts, along with wine pairing recommendations, to provide the reader with a complete game plan for an enjoyable evening that will leave your dinner guests asking, "Is this really wild game?"