Peppered Venison Loin With Zinfandel Huckleberry Sauce Food

VENISON WITH BLUEBERRY SAUCE AND COLCANNON

Steps:

• Take the venison out of the fridge and salt it well. Let it set on the cutting board while you rehydrate the mushrooms and boil the potatoes for the colcannon.
• Put the diced potatoes into a pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Simmer until tender. Drain the potatoes and put them back in the pot. Turn the heat to low under the pot and let the potatoes steam for a few seconds.
• Beat in the butter, sour cream and chopped vegetables. You want nice mashed potatoes with green streaks. Add salt to taste, cover the pot, turn off the heat and set aside.
• Get a large saute pan and put 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter into it. Turn the heat to high and when the butter is hot, add the sliced onion. Saute over medium-high heat until browned along the edges, about 4 to 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, remove the onions and set aside.
• Wipe the pan with a paper towel. Pat the venison dry and put the clarified butter into the pan. Set it over high heat until the butter is very hot, but not smoking. Add the venison and sear until medium-rare. If you don't know to tell when the meat is done, use the finger test for doneness. When the venison is done, move it to rest on a cutting board.
• Return the onions to the pan, add the mushrooms and garlic and saute over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often. Sprinkle some salt over everything and add the wine.
• Boil this down until it's almost gone, using a wooden spoon to stir up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the stock and mushroom soaking water (strain the water if there is any debris in it) and boil this down by two-thirds.
• Add the huckleberries or blueberries and cook another minute or two, Add black pepper, salt and vinegar to taste. If you want it sweet, add some sugar now; start with a teaspoon or two. Garnish with the rosemary.

VENISON TENDERLOIN WITH BERRY SAUCE AND CREAMY POTATOES

Steps:

• For the potatoes: Peel the potatoes and cut into 1-inch chunks. Place the potatoes in a large saucepan of cold, salted water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. When the water boils, lower the heat to medium and simmer the potatoes until they're fork tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• For the venison: Season both sides of the venison tenderloins with salt and pepper.
• Heat a large saute pan over high heat and add the oil. When the oil is hot, but not smoking, add the tenderloins. Reduce the heat to medium and sear the tenderloins on all sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove the loins from the pan and let rest until ready to serve.
• For the potatoes: Drain the potatoes well and transfer to a bowl. Mash the potatoes until there are no lumps. Stir in the butter, nutmeg, cream, salt, and white pepper. Stir until creamy, adding more cream if needed. You want smooth, creamy potatoes. Taste and season with more salt and white pepper, if needed.
• For the sauce: In a small saucepan, combine all of the ingredients, except for the blueberries and butter. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat, add the blueberries, and simmer until reduced a little and thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, strain the sauce back into the saucepan, season with salt and pepper, and then whisk in the butter. Hold warm until serving.
• To plate: Spoon potatoes into the center of the plate. Slice the venison loin into 1/2-inch thick slices on a bias. Lay slices over potatoes. Top with sauce.

MARINATED VENISON LOIN STEAKS WITH ONIONS AND SWEET PEPPERS

Steps:

• In a small, heavy saucepan, combine all the marinade ingredients and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat. Set aside and let cool to room temperature.
• Lay each steak flat on the counter and tie each one horizontally so that the meat forms a tight, round package. You will need 6 pieces of kitchen twine, each measuring about 18 inches long.
• Spread half the marinade over the bottom of a nonreactive casserole or deep baking pan just large enough to hold all 6 steaks snugly but without crowding. Arrange the steaks in the pan and coat with the remaining marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to 5 hours.
• Remove the steaks from the marinade and place them on a double thickness of paper towels to dry.
• Light a fire in a charcoal grill or preheat a gas grill to medium.
• Set the peppers over the hottest part of the grill and cook until they begin to char. Turn with tongs and continue grilling until the peppers are charred on all sides. Stand by the grill during this time, the peppers cook quickly. Using tongs to turn them prevents them from splitting open. Transfer immediately to a container just large enough to hold them. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let the peppers cool to the touch. Rub the charred skin off the peppers. Remove the seeds and ribs from the peppers. Cut the peppers into strips.
• About 15 minutes before grilling, remove the steaks from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature. Season the steaks with salt and pepper and brush with half the oil. Grill for 7 minutes on 1 side. Turn and grill for 7 minutes longer on the other side. Turn 1 more time and grill for about 2 minutes longer for rare steak. Grill for 1 to 2 minutes longer for medium-rare. Take care when turning the steaks to that the grill marks on the meat are perpendicular to the grate.
• Transfer the steaks to a warmer platter and remove the twine.
• Place a medium saute pan or skillet on the hottest part of the grill. Put the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and the sliced onions in the pan and cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes, or until the onions are lightly browned. Add the pepper strips and cook for about 2 minutes, or until heated through.
• Serve the steaks on warmed large plates with the grill marks showing. Carefully spoon the pepper and onions over half of each steak so that the grill marks are clearly visible.
• Put the cloves in a dry cast iron skillet and cook over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes, or until softened. Turn frequently so that the cloves soften but do not brown. Slide the cloves from the skillet onto a plate to cool to the touch. Squeeze the softened garlic pulp from the individual cloves.

PEPPERED VENISON LOIN WITH ZINFANDEL HUCKLEBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Rub the venison with the oil, thyme, peppercorns, and salt. Let stand for 1 hour at room temperature.
• For the sauce: Heat the oil in a 4-quart saucepan over high heat. Add the onion, celery, carrots, and apple. Sauté over high heat, stirring often, until the vegetables caramelize slightly, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the Zinfandel and port. Simmer briskly until reduced to a syrup, about 15 minutes. Add the chicken stock, thyme, and 1/2 cup huckleberries. Simmer until reduced to a sauce consistency, about 30 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve, pressing on the solids. You should have about 1/2 cup sauce. Return the sauce to a small saucepan and add the remaining 2 tablespoons huckleberries.
• Preheat the oven to 500°F. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over high heat. Add the 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil is almost smoking, add the venison and sear on all sides, about 2 minutes total, then transfer the skillet to the oven and roast the venison until the internal temperature reaches 120°F (for medium-rare), 5 to 6 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before carving.
• To serve, slice the venison about 1/4 inch thick. Gently warm the sauce. Arrange the venison on dinner plates and spoon the sauce around it, not over it. Serve immediately.
• Enjoy with Cakebread Cellars Zinfandel or another full-bodied red wine with plentiful fruit.

VENISON LOIN ON SCHUPF NOODLES WITH LINGONBERRY COGNAC SAUCE, CARAMELIZED CHESTNUTS AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Venison Loin: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Season the steaks with salt and pepper. Sear steaks quickly in a hot pan with olive oil on both sides and finish in oven to desired doneness. Slice meat and fan it out.
• Serve with Lingonberry Cognac sauce, crispy potato noodles (Schupf Noodles), Caramelized Chestnuts and green asparagus.
• To peel chestnuts, cut an "x" with a paring knife in the flat side of the nut. They can be either boiled or roasted just until the skin begins to pull away. Work in small batches, keeping the chestnuts warm, and pull and cut away the tough outer skin. Clean chestnuts the thin brown skin from the chestnuts. Melt sugar until it is caramel color and add red wine until smooth and caramel sugar is melted. Add cleaned chestnuts, toss, and set pot aside.
• Sweat shallots in butter. Add orange juice and red wine. Reduce down to 1/2. Add lingonberries, cognac, and veal-glace. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Add mustard and simmer for 10 more minutes. Then strain through china cap.
• Bake potatoes until very soft. Let cool. Peel and shred potatoes through a very fine shredder into a large mixing bowl. Add spices, egg, and flour. Mix all ingredients quickly to form a dough. Now roll the dough into rounds, about 1/4-inch thick and 4-inch long.
• Place noodles on flour dusted plate and put in freezer. Noodles can be prepared a few days before the dinner. To finish noodles, fry in canola oil until golden brown and crispy.

PORK LOIN ROAST WITH HUCKLEBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Lightly rub the pork with 2 Tbls of olive oil.
• Combine herbs, salt and pepper in a medium shallow dish.
• Roll the pork loin in the herb mixture.
• Refrigerate.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the berries, sugar, vinegar and wine; bring to boil.
• Lower the heat and simmer until slightly thickened.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat remaining oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and saute the pork on all sides until golden brown.
• Place in the oven for about 12 to 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 150 degrees F.
• Transfer the pork to a serving platter and spoon a generous amount of huckleberry sauce over the pork.

VENISON TENDERLOIN WITH MADEIRA GREEN PEPPERCORN SAUCE

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 425°F.
• Pat venison dry and sprinkle with black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Heat oil in an ovenproof 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until just smoking, then brown venison on all sides (except ends), about 3 minutes total.
• Transfer skillet with venison to oven and roast until thermometer inserted diagonally 2 inches into center registers 115°F, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer venison with tongs to a plate and let stand, loosely covered with foil, 5 minutes (temperature will rise to 125°F for medium-rare).
• While meat stands, add shallot to skillet (handle will be hot) and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Add Madeira and deglaze skillet by boiling, stirring and scraping up brown bits, until liquid is reduced by half, about 1 minute. Add demi-glace and boil, stirring, until sauce is slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Stir in peppercorns, butter, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and any meat juices that have accumulated on plate, then remove from heat.
• Cut venison into 1/2-inch-thick slices and serve with sauce.