Bambi for dinner

My 21 year old boy shot a 190# buck last week and we cooked the backstrap for dinner Thursday night. With the help of my other boy, the two of us made a Diane Sauce for our Venison Diane. I was concerned that the meat might be gamy, but we didn't need a sauce whatsoever. That being said, the sauce was outstanding. I'm not bragging, but I can follow the detailed instructions of someone else's great recipe

You sear about 3 pounds of filet in 6 tablespoons butter (split between two pans), then lower the heat and cook the meat as desired. After the meat is removed, into the pan goes 3 large diced shallots, followed a minute later by 7 cloves of diced garlic for 30 seconds, and then 6 ounces of brandy to "deglaze (getting all the flavorful crunchies off of the bottom of the pan). I reduced it for several minutes, and then added a mix of 12 oz of beef stock (I didn't have venison stock), 3 tablespoons of tomato paste, 3 tablespoons of dijon mustard, and 2 oz Worcestershire sauce. It is reduced again and finally served over the meat which just completed resting. This was my first run at this sauce and it was really good.

Venison Diane
Garlic Smashed Potatoes (mixed with sauteed garlic, onion, and red pepper)
Sauteed carrots
French Bread (for dipping in the sauce)
Salad
Strawberries

My hunter boy must have eaten 25 ounces of that venison.

I love venison. I remember one day many years ago my captain brought in some, it was a long time ago but I remember him soaking it in buttermilk and then slow cooking it like a roast. I can truly say I suffered the sin of gluttony that day. I ate until I was going to burst.

Another way we used to eat it was slice the backstrap like steaks, then pound with a mallet and wrap in bacon and pan fry like a filet.

Unfortunately since retirement there is no more venison. Of course there is a wild game butcher here locally that sells it but that just isn't the same.

That venison diane sounds heavenly.

Merry Christmas !

Nice! Very lean and healthy meat. I'm so glad we have many hunters in northeast PA to cull the herd. Too many deer vs autos accidents in my area. Plus I have enough hunter friends that I'm usually given some venison.

About 20 years ago when my boys were quite young, a friend and I took our families to Brown County State Park in Indiana. For those that don't know, southern Indiana is quite hilly and treed, and much different than the flat central and northern parts of our state. During a ranger guided tour, I noticed a magnificent number of deer. The ranger explained that the DNR was lobbying for a hunt to cull the herd, but lots of folks were fighting this. That winter was a tough one, and for lack of food about 60% of the herd died of starvation.

The ranger pointed out that the deer had eaten all of the undergrowth and they were already skinny as winter only began. With no undergrowth, there was no habitat for small animals like mice and rabbits, which left no food source for fox and other small predators. They wanted to create a more diverse animal population. The DNR also wished to prevent the needless starvation of thousands of deer.

Today we have hunts in Indiana parks to solve such problems. In fact, the deer we ate likely wandered out of Eagle Creek Park onto private property where he became dinner.

I managed a to get a 130 pound button buck about 10 days ago. Most people wouldn't get to thrilled about a 130 buck but I personally think New Hampshire has some of the worst deer hunting in the whole united states. You can get one but it is definitely not easy. I now have all the meat back from the butcher and is in the freezer. NOW is time for my yearly ritual of making something with the deer Hamburg then inviting my daughter over for supper and telling her what meat she just ate after she ate it!.......its usually priceless!
On the good hand we have a good turkey population and I did manage my 1st wild turkey this year, with a bow no less! I am going to try to cook one breast today (wish me luck)

weggie

We don't have wild turkey in central Indiana, but in southern Indiana they are common. I'm glad to hear that you succeeded with that bow.

I'm very far from an accomplished cook, but I do some good things with the help of the internet..........especially Youtube. Do you have experience cooking, or do you rely on the magical internet to cook something new?

A venison stroganoff is the best stroganoff I have ever eaten.

There's a problem with the deer population here in No Va and it's getting worse. The deer aren;t showing any fear, they're constantly in my backyard hanging out feet from the house. They've even come up on my deck and eaten my container garden, pissed me off to no end. Of course the local govt. is too stupid to understand how this overpopulation thing works."Oh my,you can't shoot bambi !" Cityfolk, sheesh.

Actually there's not much of a threat of starvation, people in this area have pretty extensive landscaping, there's plenty to eat around here.

NOTE: Wedgie, nice shootin' there with the bow, hope it turns out juicy and tasty.

Bambi Burgers are tasty.