Peppered Venison Loin With Zinfandel Huckleberry Sauce Recipes

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.

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.

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.

ROAST LOIN OF VENISON WITH CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Rub the venison with the olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt, 1 teaspoon of the pepper and 1/2 teaspoon thyme, pressing the seasonings into the meat. Allow the venison to come to room temperature.
• Set the loin on a rack in a roasting pan and roast at 400°F until medium-rare, about 135°F on a meat thermometer, about 25 to 30 minutes basting frequently with the pan juices.
• Tent the venison loosely with foil and set aside for 10 to 15 minutes before carving.
• Place the roasting pan on stove top over medium high heat and add the wine. Bring to a boil and cool until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 5 mintues. Be sure to scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Add the stock and bring to a boil. Add the cranberries and reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Add the ginger, 1/4 teaspoon each of salt, pepper, thyme and the cold butter. Allow the butter to completely melt before removing from heat.
• Slice the venison thinly and serve with the hot sauce.
• Enjoy!