Venison Chops With Mushroom Sauce Food

THE MERCHANT OF VENISON CHOPS WITH RED WINE MUSHROOM SAUCE AND BULGUR PORRIDGE

Steps:

• Rinse venison chops and pat dry with paper towels. In a coffee grinder dedicated to spices or with a mortar and pestle, grind the juniper berries, coriander seeds, star anise, salt and peppercorns together into a powder. Rub all sides of the chops with the spice mixture. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large saute pan (deep enough to accommodate the chops and sauce) and sear the chops, leaving undisturbed for 2 minutes on each side to allow the spices to integrate into the surface of the meat. Remove chops to a utility platter.
• In the same pan, over medium-high heat, saute the shallots until translucent. Add the mushrooms and cook until they give up their juices. Add the wine and let cook for about 5 minutes. Then reduce heat to medium-low, return the chops to the pan, cover, and let cook until the chops are tender, about 35 minutes. Transfer the chops to a platter and increase the heat under the pan of mushrooms and sauce and allow to reduce by two-thirds.
• While the chops are cooking and the sauce is reducing, prepare the bulgur porridge which was traditionally served with venison as a digestive aid. Because it is pre-steamed, it can be soaked in boiling water to make it meal-ready. Put bulgur and salt in a mixing bowl. Add 2 1/2 cups boiling water, cover and let stand for 30 minutes.
• To serve, place some bulgur porridge in the middle of each serving plate. Top with a venison chop and spoon mushrooms and sauce over and around.

VENISON WITH MUSHROOM-WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Mix the flour, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Dredge the meat in the seasoned flour. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook the venison for 2 minutes per side, and then transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.
• 2. Reduce the heat in the skillet to medium, add the shallots and garlic, and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the mushrooms and sauté for about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste. Add the wine and chicken broth, raise heat to medium-high, and cook for 1 minute more. Return the meat to the pan and simmer until heated, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

VENISON CHOPS WITH SHALLOTS AND CUMIN

Steps:

• Using a heavy skillet large enough to accommodate the rack of venison, fry the bacon. Drain strips on paper towel. Cut bacon in 1/2-inch pieces and set aside. Brush venison with some of the bacon fat. Leave 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat in the pan and discard the rest. Mix 1 1/2 teaspoons of the cumin with the pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Rub the spices on the meat and let rest 1 hour. Cook the shallots in the remaining fat in the pan on medium heat until lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove shallots from the pan and set aside.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Using the skillet or another pan big enough to hold the rack of venison, place the venison in the pan, bone side down, and roast 20 minutes. Test with an instant-read thermometer. It should register 115 degrees for medium rare to rare. If more doneness is desired, leave the venison in the oven another 5 minutes. But it will start to toughen if cooked more than medium rare.
• Remove venison from the pan and place on a cutting board to rest while you prepare the sauce. Lightly toast the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cumin in the pan. Add the stock and the wine. Whisk in the mustard and thyme. Cook on medium high until the liquid has reduced to a scant 1/2 cup, just about covering the bottom of the pan. Lower heat and whisk in the butter bit by bit. Add additional salt if desired. Stir in the reserved bacon and shallots.
• Slice the rack into individual chops between the bones and arrange on a platter. Spoon the sauce with the shallots and bacon over the meat and serve.

VENISON WITH SHERRY-MUSHROOM SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup flour, sage, salt, and pepper in a resealable bag, set aside. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large pan over medium heat. Stir in onion and cook until almost soft. Add mushrooms, and continue cooking until soft. Remove from pan.
• Turn heat to medium-high and melt 2 tablespoons of butter in pan. Toss the venison steaks in the seasoned flour and shake off the excess. Sear venison in butter for 6 to 7 minutes per side and remove.
• Reduce heat to medium-low, and melt the remaining tablespoon of butter. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of flour, followed by the sherry and water. Return the vegetables and meat to the pan. Increase heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.