Picth Letter

 I have decided to post my first "Pitch Letter" for an article I would like to write in a local peper. This letter is to an editor of a magazing explaning what my artcile is about ect... Of course this one is for the teacher in class but it may be a published article one day... Please give me feedback on what you think of the pitch letter.


I will include pictures and links just for you guys, I am not turining them in with the article.

         

Catherine E Manterola

P.O. Box 267

Calvert, TX 77837

(210) 260-9950

cemanterola@gmail.com

January 31, 2011

Dear Editor,

“Catherine, Tito the next pigeon you shoot I am making you eat it!” Families in Texas are a breed of their own. On a sunny Saturday children are not on neighborhood basketball courts but walking around the ranch with BB guns. January in Texas is the end of dove and duck season and most kids want to get some practice in for next year. “Mom, I am not eating a pigeon!” “If you keep shooting them you will!” Then dad jumps in “Honey, that reminds me, how do you want to cook all these ducks?” Dilemma. Mom does not want to go back on her word since Tito has just shot two more pigeons but the freezer is breaking at the seems from all the zip lock bags full of the seasons dove and duck excursions. If only she had a good recipe for duck and pigeon.

I propose an article of 1300 words entitled, Game Birds and Other Things Your Kids Shoot, about what to do with all the left over game birds and the extra birds you are not sure what to do with. I will include recipes for duck, dove, and a mixture of the two with other edible non game birds. Each recipe will have a different twist so that the flavor of each bird is showcased as well as having a variety of meals with the same main ingredients. I will also give cleaning and butchering techniques for each game bird, brining ideas for whole birds, as well as Cajon, Mexican, French, Italian, and simple “Backyard America” recipes.

The readers of your publication are hunters as well as big eaters and cooks. I believe they will appreciate a new twist on things they have been cooking for years. Since there are not many recipes available that focus on game birds the food becomes very redundant and one note. They will appreciate some new ideas as well as the fresh subject of what else is flying out there that is edible and quite tasty.

I am a freelance writer who is trying to get my name out there and write about what I know and love. I have a Public Relations degree as well as have completed a course in Food Writing from famed Cook Book Author Diane Morgan. I hope Game Birds and Other Things Your Kids Shoot earns a spot in your successful publication.

Catherin Manterola




Here are some Recipes for you guys (I did not write these)


STUFFED WILD DUCK RECIPE

2 young, plump wild ducks, cleaned
Parsley, grapes, apple wedges
2 small onions, chopped
1 cup chopped apple, unpeeled
1 1/3 cups water
6 tbsp. melted shortening or bacon drippings
2/3 cup orange juice
2/3 cup chopped celery
Salt


Rub cavity of each duck with 1 tsp. salt. Combine celery, chopped apple, and onion; stuff into cavity of each duck. Close cavity with skewers. Brown ducks in shortening in a heavy Dutch oven; add water, orange juice, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Cover tightly; cook over low heat 45-60 minutes or until tender (time depends on age of duck). Baste 2-3 times during cooking. Garnish with parsley, grapes, and apple wedges. 6 servings.


This recipe is from our wild game recipes duck collection

http://www.cajuncookingrecipes.com/wildgamerecipes/stuffed_wild_duck.htm

Dove and Pigeon Recipes
http://honest-food.net/wild-game/dove-pigeon-recipes/



The BEST way to eat Dove is this way: (I did write this out but it is famous and everyone does it)

5-10 Dove Breast (cleaned and cut in half long wise)
20 whole jalapenos, cut in half, seeds and stemmed removed
15 oz cream cheese
1 package bacon, each slice cut in half
tooth pics

Take one half of a jalapeno, with a spoon place cream cheese in cavity so it fills entire cavity. Then take one half of a dove breat and place it on top of the cream cheese. Wrap a piece of bacon around the fat side of the jalapeno and bird and secure with a toothpic. Repeat this process until all are assembles. Grill until the bacon is cooked. You can also place these in the oven at 350 degrees F until the bacon is cooked the way you like it.

In this picture the whole breast was used but I like to cut them in half to make smaller sized bites. Also, there are twice as many when you cut them in half.