Cooking Techniques

I get asked all the time, “Do I really need to pluck my birds? It’s a pain in the ass!” I hear ya—after a long day in the field, plucking birds isn’t always enjoyable. But after establishing a Thanksgiving tradition of having beautifully plucked whole pheasants roasted with herbs and butter, I had...

Almost everyone I know has taco night in their cooking routine, but it’s typically made with ground meat. Every once in a while you owe it to yourself to switch it up and do steak instead. I’m a native Texan who takes a lot of pride in making damn good tacos, particularly with wild game. I’m here to...

Lemon, fresh basil and garlic, olive oil, shoyu, and cracked pepper come together to make a delicious and transformative marinade. In this recipe I use skinned and filleted yellow spot papio, but any fish will do. After a 45-minute marinade, a quick, hot sear on the grill seals in the bright...

A well-seasoned cast iron needs a little maintenance for optimal non-stick cooking. If the sides of your skillet have gotten a little crusty after a long camping trip or you just picked up a second-hand steal, this method will get rid of the grime and leave you with the goods to achieve perfectly...

In this recipe, freshwater meets saltwater in a prawn-stuffed fish bake. I speared some freshwater prawns in a river to fill up a beautiful ocean-harvested goatfish. Smothered in aioli and crisped up with some panko breadcrumbs, this dish is an ultimate fusion of flavors.

Cleaning gizzards doesn’t have to be difficult. Follow these simple instructions for clean gizzards ready for tacos, to be pickled, or tossed in dirty rice. And you might even find a nugget of gold while you’re at it.

This is venison soup and sandwich combo is an absolute dream on chilly days. To check out my previous video on how to make venison bone broth, click here. And you can find a recipe for a perfectly tender and juicy roast that’s great for a French Dip right here.

A properly grilled duck will yield juicy medium-rare meat with crispy skin on the exterior. Scoring the skin and cooking on a super hot grill are vital to success. Working with a deboned duck also ensures even cooking. To see a detailed video on that process, click here. Need to upgrade your duck...

Everyone knows what it’s like to pull a hunk of meat out of the freezer, only to find a fibrous, brown layer across it. Freezer burn sucks, but before you toss that meat in the garbage, know that you can often salvage some of it. Here’s how to make use of this meat. What Causes Freezer Burn? Whether...

Grilled octopus (or tako) with chimichurri is an excellent preparation for one of the sea's greatest treasures. The initial time in a pressure cooker tenderizes the meat to perfection, and the hot flames of the grill give an irresistible crispy char to the outside—pair that with the fresh tang of...

Fish tacos are a versatile preparation that works with any catch. Any combination of fresh fish and fresh veggies wrapped up in a tortilla is sure to please, and be sure to make this slightly spicy and tangy aioli—it adds a refreshing kick you don’t want to miss. Check out Episode 3 of SpearChef...

The classic dish Eggs Benedict gets a serious upgrade with freshly harvested Hawaiian lobster in this recipe. To watch my friends and I go on a midnight lobster dive and early-morning spear, check out the most recent episode of SpearChef here.