Leg Of Venison With Cider Baked Apples Red Chard And Cranberry Sauce Food

THE BEST CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Empty the cranberries into a saucepan and transfer 1/2 cup to a small bowl. Add the sugar, zest and 2 tablespoons water to the pan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the cranberries are soft, about 10 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and cook until the cranberries burst, about 12 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the reserved cranberries. Remove the citrus peel. Add sugar, salt and pepper to taste. Cool to room temperature before serving.

LEG OF VENISON WITH MUSHROOM SPAETZLE AND PEAR BRANDY BRAISED CABBAGE

Steps:

• To prepare the venison: In a spice grinder or food processor, grind the peppercorns, juniper berries, fennel seeds, and thyme together. Mix with the olive oil and rub the venison. Cover and let stand in the refrigerator for 4 to 12 hours. Remove the venison from the refrigerator 1 hour before cooking to come to room temperature.
• To make the spaetzle: In a small saucepan, heat the milk over low heat just until it simmers. Remove from heat, stir in the ground mushrooms, and let stand for 15 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the milk mixture, flour, egg, herbs, salt and pepper. Mix the batter until smooth, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Place a colander or perforated pan over (not touching) the boiling water. Pour the batter into the colander or pan. Using a rubber spatula or your hand, quickly press the batter through the holes into the boiling water. Once all of the batter has been forced through the holes, remove the colander or pan. Stir the spaetzle and cook for 1 minute. Drain well and toss with a little olive oil; set aside.
• To make the cabbage: In a spice mill, grind the cloves, fennel, and juniper; set aside. In a 4-quart pot, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. And the onion and saute for 3 minutes, or until translucent. Mix in the cabbage, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1 teaspoon of the pepper, and cook until the cabbage begins to wilt. Stir in the brandy, cider, and spices. Add the diced pear, cover, and cook, stirring frequently, for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender. Cover and keep warm until serving.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and brown the venison on all sides. Place on a rack in a roasting pan and roast in the oven for 15 minutes for medium rare. For medium done, roast 6 to 7 minutes longer. Remove the venison from the oven, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and let stand for 5 minutes before slicing.
• Using a 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium high heat. Add the chanterelle mushrooms and saute for 2 to 3 minutes until they begin to brown lightly and then add the spaetzle, season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper, and cook until brown and crispy.
• To serve, portion the braised cabbage and spaetzle onto each plate. Thinly slice each piece of venison and place on top.

CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan combine cranberries, orange juice and zest, port, sugar and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmering and cook until cranberries are tender, stirring occasionally. In a small cup make a slurry with cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water. Whisk cornstarch mixture into cranberry sauce and cook, whisking, until sauce thickens. Taste and add more sugar, if necessary.

ROAST LEG OF VENISON

Steps:

• Marinate venison loin with 2 cups red wine and 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Several days is optimal, but a few hours is fine.
• Remove venison from marinade and dry. Reserve the marinade. Rub with 1 tbsp vegetable oil, wrap tightly in foil, and roast at 350 for 20 minutes per pound of meat.
• 15 minutes before the end of cooking, remove venison from oven, unwrap, sprinkle with flour, baste with cooking liquid,re-wrap, and place back in the oven.
• Meanwhile, combine marinade with stock, then boil. Zest the orange and lemon into the sauce, then juice the orange and add to the sauce. Add the raspberry jam to the sauce. Add 4 tbsp red wine to the sauce. Simmer until reduced by half.
• When meat is done, remove and let rest 10 minutes. Meanwhile, add cornstarch mixture and vinegar to sauce and cook to thicken.
• Slice meat and spoon sauce over meat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Serve with roasted or mashed potatoes.