Delia Smith Venison Casserole Recipes

POT-ROASTED VENISON WITH SHREWSBURY SAUCE

Steps:

• First of all wipe the venison joint with kitchen paper and season the surface with salt and freshly milled pepper. Now heat up the oil and butter together in the casserole and when it is foaming hot add the meat to brown on all sides with the carrot and onion alongside it to brown as well. When everything is browned, add the thyme and bay leaf, wine, nutmeg and seasoning. Bring this up to a very gentle simmer, cover with a lid (if the lid is not really tight, place a sheet of foil under it and press down firmly to seal it). Give the meat an initial cooking time of 30 minutes. Then turn it over in the liquid, so that it will cook to an even colour, and give it a further 30 minutes. After that remove the meat to a warm plate, cover it with foil and keep warm. Now to make the sauce. Place a sieve over a bowl and strain the liquid through it, pressing the vegetables to extract their juices, then discard them. Next pour the liquid back into the casserole, boil it up and let it reduce slightly. Then add the redcurrant jelly and Worcestershire sauce and whisk it very thoroughly to dissolve the jelly. Now mix the softened butter, flour and mustard powder together to a paste then whisk this, in small pieces, into the sauce so that it thickens slightly and takes on a glossy appearance. Now add 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice, adding more if needed, taste and check the seasoning. Simmer the sauce gently for 3-4 minutes, then carve the venison and serve with the sauce spooned over.

VENISON BRAISED IN GUINNESS AND PORT WITH PICKLED WALNUTS

Steps:

• The night before, you need to place the meat in a large bowl along with the bay leaf and thyme, then pour the porter and port all over it. Put a plate on top to keep the meat pushed down and leave in a cool place overnight. Next day, when you are ready to cook the meat, pre-heat the oven to gas mark 1, 275°F (140°C). Then melt half the butter and oil in the casserole and heat gently. Drain the meat (reserving the liquid and herbs) and pat the steaks dry with kitchen paper. Now turn the heat to high and brown the steaks (in two batches) to a rich brown on both sides. Now add the rest of the butter and oil to the casserole. As soon as it begins to foam, add the onion and brown this for about 8 minutes before adding the garlic and frying for another 2 minutes. Now return all the meat into the casserole to join the onions. Stir in the flour to soak up the juices, then pour in the marinade (including the bay leaf and thyme), add the walnuts and season well. As soon as it reaches a gentle simmer, put a lid on, then transfer the casserole to the middle shelf of the oven and forget all about it for 3 hours, by which time the meat will be tender and the sauce marvellously dark and rich.

SUCCULENT BRAISED VENISON

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Fry the vegetables in a little oil and butter in a heavy-based casserole for 4-5 mins until golden. Tip in the garlic and fry for a further min, then set aside.
• Put the venison into a plastic bag with seasoned flour and shake to coat. Add a little more oil and butter to the pan, then fry the venison over a high heat, stirring now and then, until well browned. Don't crowd the pan - cook in batches if necessary. Set aside with the vegetables.
• Add the redcurrant jelly and wine to the pan, and bring to the boil, scraping up all the bits that have stuck to the bottom. Pour in the stock, then add the thyme, bay leaf, meat and vegetables. Season if you like and bring to the boil. Cover and transfer to the oven for about 1½ hrs or until tender. Remove from the oven and check the seasoning.