The word escabeche or escabechado means "marinated" or "pickled" and was traditionally a common way to preserve meat or seafood. Although refrigeration eliminated the need for pickling, these dishes are still popular because they are tasty. The marinade or escabeche usually contains vinegar, oil and spices. If you are in a meson that serves traditional Spanish food, you may see mackeral or game birds prepared in escabeche.

Generallyh we are lucky enough to eat pheasants once or twice a year when a friend of ours who is a hunter generously shares his catch with us. In Spain game is birds such as quail, partridge and pheasant are popular. If you live in Spain or you are lucky enough to be able to be able to cook with game birds, this recipe is worth trying.

• Faisanes Escabechados - Marinated Pheasants

Faisanes Escabechados - Marinated Pheasants (c) 2008 Lisa Sierra Licensed to About.com

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