Roasted Venison Loin Grains Parsnip Puree Sauce Poivrade Food

VENISON LOIN WITH CHOCOLATE INFUSED SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the venison loin in a non-reactive bowl or pan and add the red wine, bay leaves, and fresh thyme. Let marinate for 24 hours, refrigerated.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Remove the venison loin from the marinade and pat dry using paper towels. Reserve the marinade and pour it into a non-reactive saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce over high heat until reduced by half. Add the venison stock and lower the heat to medium-low flame. Reduce again by half, then take off the heat and add the semisweet chocolate and whisk. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Keep warm.
• Combine the pecans and honey in a small bowl.
• Season the venison with salt and pepper. In an oven-safe saute pan over medium-high heat, heat 1-ounce of olive oil. Sear the loin on 1 side until golden brown and turn, then place the pan in the oven for about 8 to 10 minutes. Cook until an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the venison loin registers 130 degrees F for medium rare. Remove from pan and allow to rest.
• Meanwhile, in a saute pan over high heat, heat 1-ounce of olive oil. Add the chanterelles and season with salt and pepper. Saute for about 4 to 6 minutes or until tender, mixing gradually with a wooden spoon. Reserve.
• In another saute pan over medium-high heat, add the remaining 1-ounce of olive oil. Add garlic and saute until golden, about 30 seconds. Then, quickly add braising greens and the 4 tablespoons (or to taste) lemon juice. Saute the braising greens until tender, stirring frequently. Reserve.
• For plating: Roll the venison loin in the pecan mixture and then slice into 4 portions.
• On each dinner plate, add some chocolate sauce and then layer the braising greens, then the chanterelles, followed by the slices of venison loin. Drizzle some of the honey pecan mixture on top of the venison and garnish the plate with a sprig of thyme.

VENISON LOIN WITH SWEET POTATO, PEARL ONIONS, AND SMOKED BACON

Steps:

• Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds into a small heavy saucepan, adding the pod also. Add the sugar, water, ginger, and zest and bring to a boil to make a syrup. Place diced sweet potatoes in a medium skillet, pour syrup over top, and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until just tender. Alternatively, place diced sweet potato in a casserole dish, drizzle syrup over, and cook in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 5 minutes, or until just tender. Set aside and keep warm.
• Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sugar and cook very gently until onions are golden brown. Add chicken stock, a little at a time, to deglaze pan, and continue cooking until most of the liquid is evaporated and the onions are tender. Set aside and keep warm.
• In another nonstick skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until edges start to become golden brown. Set aside and keep warm.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add venison and sear meat on all sides until golden brown. Add 1 tablespoon butter and continue to cook until meat is medium-rare. Remove meat from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut each piece into 3 slices.
• To the skillet, add the bacon, sweet potato, and pearl onions, and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat until warmed through. Scatter parsley over top. Plate by placing a small pile of potato mixture just off-center on each of 4 plates. Fan venison slices across plate and drizzle any leftover pan juices on top of the meat.

ROASTED VENISON LOIN WITH BRAISED RED CABBAGE, SWEET GERMAN POTATO NOODLES, AND JUNIPER BERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• To make the venison:
• Preheat the oven to 220 degrees F.
• Heat the sunflower oil in a roasting pan. Season the venison with salt and pepper, and sear it until it's nicely colored and caramelized. Roast until it's medium rare; an instant read thermometer inserted into the center should read 145 degrees. Transfer the meat to a board and let rest so the juices can settle. Spoon off the fat from the pan drippings. Add the bay leaf, rosemary, juniper berries, and butter. Return the meat to the pan and begin spooning the butter and meat juices over the meat to bring to medium.
• To make the sauce:
• Cook the shallots in a small amount of oil until they're softened but haven't taken on any color. Deglaze the pan with the Calvados and cognac. Add the venison glace and double cream and cook to reduce somewhat. Add juniper berries. Finish with cassis and vinegar to taste. Strain through a fine sieve.
• To make the cabbage:
• In a saucepan, heat the sugar on medium heat until it caramelizes. Add red wine and port and stir to dissolve into the caramel. Add the peppercorns, cloves, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, ground cinnamon, and a little salt, orange juice and zest. Put the cabbage in a bowl, pour the marinade on top, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours.
• To make the potato noodles:
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the potatoes on a bed of rock salt and roast until soft. Peel the potatoes, break them open, and let the moisture steam out. Pass the potatoes through a potato ricer. Mix in the cornstarch and egg yolk to make a dough. Form the dough into little noodles by rolling it between the palms of your hands. Blanch the noodles in boiling salted water until done. Drain.
• Sear the potato noodles in a hot skillet with a little butter until they're golden brown. Sprinkle with walnuts.
• To make the cranberries: In a large bowl, toss the cranberries with the sugar and a dash of port wine to taste.