Game Casserole Recipe Delia Food

VENISON BRAISED IN GUINNESS AND PORT WITH PICKLED WALNUTS

Steps:

• The night before, you need to place the meat in a large bowl along with the bay leaf and thyme, then pour the porter and port all over it. Put a plate on top to keep the meat pushed down and leave in a cool place overnight. Next day, when you are ready to cook the meat, pre-heat the oven to gas mark 1, 275°F (140°C). Then melt half the butter and oil in the casserole and heat gently. Drain the meat (reserving the liquid and herbs) and pat the steaks dry with kitchen paper. Now turn the heat to high and brown the steaks (in two batches) to a rich brown on both sides. Now add the rest of the butter and oil to the casserole. As soon as it begins to foam, add the onion and brown this for about 8 minutes before adding the garlic and frying for another 2 minutes. Now return all the meat into the casserole to join the onions. Stir in the flour to soak up the juices, then pour in the marinade (including the bay leaf and thyme), add the walnuts and season well. As soon as it reaches a gentle simmer, put a lid on, then transfer the casserole to the middle shelf of the oven and forget all about it for 3 hours, by which time the meat will be tender and the sauce marvellously dark and rich.

GAME CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 150ºc/300ºF/gas mark 2.
• Heat the oil in a large cast iron casserole.
• Brown the meat on a high heat on all sides then remove and set aside.
• Lower the heat and fry the onions until they have softened, which will take around 5 minutes.
• Stir in the cornstarch and slowly pour in the stock and port, stirring out any lumps should any appear.
• Place the meat back in the casserole and let it reach a slow simmer.
• Cover the casserole dish with a lid and cook in the oven for one hour.
• Add the mushrooms, chestnuts, orange juice, zest and jelly, and stir well.
• Cover with the lid and return it to the oven. Don't cook for more than 3 hours and check on it every 15 minutes or so to check whether the meat is tender. If so, remove from the heat immediately.
• Serve with buttery mash and your favourite green vegetable.

DELIA'S CORNISH GAME HENS (OR CHICKEN AND RICE)

Steps:

• Chop onion, celery, and green pepper if using, then slice mushrooms.
• Rinse hens or chicken pieces and pat dry.
• In a 13x9 pan, mix rice, broth, and vegetables.
• Arrange birds on top of the rice, settling them in a bit.
• Melt butter, then drizzle over poultry and rice mixture, using all of it.
• Sprinkle with poultry seasoning, salt and pepper, or any herbs of your choice.
• Cover with foil and bake at 350 for about 45 minutes.
• Remove foil and continue baking until poultry and rice tests done and skins are nicely browned.
• Remove from oven and let cool ten to fifteen minutes before serving.