Game Casserole With Rioja Recipes

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.

GAMEKEEPER'S PIE

Steps:

• Heat half the butter and the oil in a large pan, add the onion and carrots, and cook for about 10 mins until soft. Add the game and sausagemeat to the pan. Turn up the heat, squash the meat with the back of your spoon to break it up, and cook for 10 mins until nicely browned.
• Stir the flour and tomato purée into the meat, cook for 1 min, then add the wine, stock, sauce, bay and 3 tsp thyme. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat, cover with a lid and cook for 1 hr. Remove the lid and cook for 15 mins more until the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened.
• Put the potatoes and veg in a large pan, cover with water, bring to the boil and cook for 20 mins until really tender. Drain, leave to steam for 5 mins, then mash with seasoning, milk and the remaining butter.
• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Tip the meat into an ovenproof dish and spoon on the mash. Sprinkle with the remaining thyme and bake for 45 mins until the top is golden and the sauce bubbling.