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Category: Game and Other Meats

Pan Roasted Squab with Cherry Balsamic Sauce, Fried Sweet Potato and Beet Nests, and Haricots Verts

Pan Roasted Squab with Cherry Balsamic Sauce, Fried Sweet Potato and Beet Nests, and Haricots Verts

4 squab

1/4 C. olive oil

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

2 T. minced shallots

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 C. fresh cherries, pitted and halved

1/4 C. balsamic vinegar

1/2 C. reduced dark chicken stock

1 T. chopped sage

1 T. unsalted butter

Fried Sweet Potato and Beet Nests:

1/2 pound beets, peeled and cut into threads on a turning mandoline

1/2 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into threads on a turning mandoline

2 C. flour

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Haricots Verts, recipe follows

 

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Cut the backbone out of the squab and gently flatten with the palm of your hand. Lightly season the squab on both sides with salt and ground black pepper. Heat the oil in a large saute pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the squab, skin-side down, and cook for 3 minutes. Turn and place in the oven. Roast until the birds are cooked through and tender, about 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a platter. Cover with aluminum foil. Drain all but 1 T. of fat from the pan and place over medium-high heat. Add the shallots to the pan and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the cherries and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the balsamic vinegar and cook, stirring, to deglaze the pan. When nearly all the vinegar has evaporated, add the chicken stock and sage. Cook until reduced by 25 percent in volume, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat, add the butter and stir. Adjust the seasoning, to taste. For the Fried Nests: Preheat a fryer to 360 degrees F. Dredge the beets and sweet potatoes in the flour, shaking off any excess. Place the sweet potatoes and beets in the fryer and cook until golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the beets/sweet potatoes from the fryer with a spider to a paper towel lined plate and season with salt. To serve, place the potato nest on a platter. Place squab on top and top with sauce. Arrange the haricots verts around the sides and serve immediately.

 

Haricots Verts:

12 ounces haricots verts, ends trimmed, or small thin green beans

2 T. unsalted butter

 

Bring a small saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the haricots verts and cook until just tender, about 1 minute. Transfer with a slotted spoon to an ice bath to refresh. Drain. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the drained haricots verts, and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes.

Veal Chops with Sage-Balsamic Sauce and Warm Mushroom Salad

Veal Chops with Sage-Balsamic Sauce and Warm Mushroom Salad

Veal:

1/4 C. balsamic vinegar

2 T. fresh lemon juice

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 tsp. extravirgin olive oil

1 tsp. grated lemon rind

2 tsp. chopped fresh sage

2 garlic cloves, minced

4 (8-ounce) veal chops, trimmed

Cooking spray

1/8 tsp. salt

 

Salad:

1 large Walla Walla or other sweet onion, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices (about 1/2 pound)

1 pound portobello mushrooms, stemmed

1/4 C. low-sodium soy sauce or tamari

1 T. fresh lemon juice

1 tsp. honey

1 T. chopped fresh chives

1 T. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

 

Sauce:

1 C. fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

1 tsp. red currant jelly

 

To prepare veal, combine first 7 ingredients in a large heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag. Add chops; seal bag, tossing gently to coat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, turning occasionally. Preheat broiler. Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Remove chops from marinade, reserving marinade. Sprinkle chops with salt. Add to pan; cook 4 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Remove chops from pan. To prepare salad, place onion and mushrooms, gill sides up, on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Combine soy sauce, 1 T. juice, and honey, stirring with whisk. Spoon soy sauce mixture evenly over mushrooms and onion. Broil 3 minutes; turn onion. Broil an additional 3 minutes or until onion is tender. Cut the mushrooms into thick slices. Combine mushrooms, onion, chives, and parsley. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. pepper; toss gently. To prepare sauce, combine reserved marinade, broth, and jelly; add to pan, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil; cook until reduced to 1/4 C. (about 6 minutes), stirring frequently. Serve sauce with chops and mushroom salad.

Buffalo Burgers With Chipotle Mayonnaise

Buffalo Burgers With Chipotle Mayonnaise

1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 lb. freshly ground buffalo meat
Chipotle Mayonnaise:
1/4 C. mayonnaise, regular or reduced-fat
1/2 tsp., or to taste, minced canned chipotle chile peppers in adobo sauce

1 yellow onion, cut into four 1/3-inch-thick slices
Extra-virgin olive oil
4 hamburger buns

To make burgers: In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, dry mustard and chili powder. Sprinkle over the buffalo meat and gently distribute the spices throughout with your fingers. Gently shape the meat into 4 patties, each about 3/4 inch thick. To make chipotle mayonnaise: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and minced chiles in adobo sauce, to taste. Or, add 1 can chipotle chiles in adobo sauce to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until chiles are ground. Measure out the amount to taste and store the remainder in the refrigerator for other uses. Prepare grill for medium heat. Lightly brush or spray the onion slices on both sides with the olive oil. Grill onion slices until tender and well-marked, about 8 minutes, turning once halfway through grilling time. Grill the buffalo patties over medium heat until a thermometer, inserted from the side, reaches 160 degrees for medium, about 7 to 9 minutes, turning once halfway through grilling time. Spread the inside of the hamburger buns with the chipotle mayonnaise. Place the buffalo patties on the buns and top with the grilled onions. Serve immediately.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 368
Fat: 16.7g
Fiber: 1.8g

Moroccan Lamb Baked Filo Triangles

Moroccan Lamb Baked Filo Triangles

3/4 lb. lamb, lean ground
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 1/3 T. cumin
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. paprika
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 pinch cayenne
1 pinch saffron threads, soak in water
2 T. chopped fresh parsley
2 T. fresh coriander leaves, chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 egg lightly beaten
4 slices filo (whole wheat if you can find it)
melted butter

Combine all but the filo, melted butter and egg. sauté the lamb, onion, garlic, cumin, ginger, paprika, cinnamon, cayenne, saffron, parsley, coriander, salt and pepper in a frying pan and cook over a medium heat, uncovered and stirring occasionally. Cook for about 6 minutes, or until the moisture has completely evaporated and the lamb has cooked. Drain off and discard the fat. Add the egg and continue to stir for about 1 minute, or until it is cooked. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cut 3 inch wide strips of filo. Brush 1 strip with melted butter and place another one on top. Brush with the butter and place a heaped tsp. of filling at one end. Fold the corner in to make a triangle. Fold along the line as you would in folding a flat. Repeat with the remaining filo and filling. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes, until golden. Serve immediately, warm or at room temperature.

Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 182
Fat: 11g
Fiber: 1g

Broiled Medallions of Lamb with Lemon-Garlic Crust

Broiled Medallions of Lamb with Lemon-Garlic Crust

1 T. plain nonfat yogurt
2 tsp. grated lemon zest
1 T. fresh lemon juice
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. dried rosemary leaves
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Four 3-ounce lean medallions of lamb
Fresh rosemary sprigs, to garnish

Preheat broiler. Spray rack in broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. In small bowl, combine yogurt, zest, juice, garlic, dried rosemary and pepper. Place lamb onto prepared rack; spread with half the yogurt mixture. Broil 4″ from heat 4 minutes; turn lamb over. Spread lamb with remaining yogurt mixture; broil 2 minutes, until cooked through. Serve garnished with rosemary sprigs.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 132
Fat: 6g
Fiber: 0g

Veal Paprikash

Veal Paprikash

15 ounces boneless lean veal cutlets (cut from leg)
1/2 C. fresh lemon juice
3/4 C. nonfat sour cream
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 T. + 1 tsp. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp. vegetable oil
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1 T. + 1 tsp. mild or 1 tsp. hot Hungarian paprika
3/4 C. low-sodium chicken broth

Place veal between 2 sheets of wax paper; with meat mallet or bottom of heavy saucepan, gently pound veal to 1/8″ thickness. Remove and discard wax paper; set veal aside. Pour juice into gallon-size sealable plastic bag; add veal. Seal bag, squeezing out air; turn to coat veal. Refrigerate 1 hour, turning bag occasionally. Drain veal, reserving 3 T. of the juice; pat veal dry. In small bowl, combine sour cream, cornstarch and reserved juice, stirring until cornstarch is dissolved; set aside. On sheet of wax paper or paper plate, combine flour, salt and pepper; one at a time, place each veal cutlet into flour mixture, coating one side only. In large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tsp. of the oil; add veal, flour-side down. Cook over medium heat, turning once, 7-8 minutes, until veal is cooked through and golden brown. With slotted spoon, remove veal from skillet; set aside. In same skillet, heat remaining 1 tsp. oil; add onions. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, 8-10 minutes, until onions are golden brown; reduce heat to low. Sprinkle onions with paprika; cook, stirring constantly, 2-3 minutes, until onions are evenly coated (do not burn). Add broth to onion mixture; bring liquid to a boil, scraping up browned bits from bottom of skillet. Cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced in volume by about half; reduce heat to low. Stir reserved sour cream mixture into onion mixture; cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes, until mixture comes just to a boil. Reduce heat; add veal, spooning some of the onion mixture over veal. Cook 1-2 minutes, until veal is heated through (do not boil). Divide evenly among 4 plates and serve.

Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size: 3oz. Veal with 1/2 C. Onion Mixture

Calories: 210
Fat: 5g
Fiber: 1g

Lamb Chops with Mint Glaze

Lamb Chops with Mint Glaze

1/2 C. white vinegar
2 T. minced fresh mint leaves
1 T. mint jelly
Four 3-ounce rib lamb chops
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Spray rack in broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat broiler. To prepare mint glaze, in mini-food processor, combine vinegar, mint and mint jelly; puree until smooth. Transfer vinegar mixture to small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes, until slightly syrupy. Sprinkle lamb chops on both sides with salt and pepper; place onto prepared rack. Spread twice with some of the mint glaze; broil 4″ from heat 2 minutes. Turn chops over. Spread lamb twice with some of the remaining mint glaze; broil 2-3 minutes, until cooked through. Transfer each lamb chop to plate; top evenly with remaining mint glaze.

Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size: 1 chop & 2 tsp. Mint Glaze

Calories: 150
Fat: 7g
Fiber: 0g

Duck Breast with Apples

Duck Breast with Apples

1 tsp. ground allspice
1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
4 skinless duck breasts, 5 ounces each, all fat removed
butter-flavored cooking spray
1 medium onion, 5 ounces, minced
2 large cloves garlic, minced
3 fresh sage leaves, minced or 1/4 tsp. rubbed dried
1 tsp. minced fresh rosemary or 1/4 tsp. crushed dried
1/2 ounce low fat, low-sodium ham, chopped
1/2 C. dry white wine
1/2 C. fat-free, no salt added canned chicken broth
2 medium Granny Smith or Fuji apples, 10 ounces total, cored and sliced
1 T. red wine vinegar
extra fresh sage leaves for garnish (optional)

Combine the allspice, pepper, and salt; rub into the duck breasts. Allow to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Lightly coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Add the duck breasts and saut over high heat until browned on both sides. Lower heat and cook until medium rare, about another 3 minutes per side. Do not overcook duck breast as it becomes dry and stringy. Transfer duck breasts to a heated platter; keep warm. Add the onion, garlic, sage, rosemary, and ham to the skillet. Stir in wine and broth. Reduce liquid to about 1/3 C. Spray another nonstick skillet with cooking spray and saut apple slices with red winger until they begin to soften, about 4 minutes. Set aside. Add the duck breasts to the reduced sauce and reheat. Place a duck breast on each of 4 serving plates. Top with equal portions of the sauce and apples. Serve immediately.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 257
Fat: 7g
Fiber: 3g

Grilled Ostrich Filets with Roasted Vegetables and Cannellini Beans

Grilled Ostrich Filets with Roasted Vegetables and Cannellini Beans

olive oil cooking spray
3 C. canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed well
1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
3 plum tomatoes, 9 ounces, seeded and thinly sliced lengthwise
4 ounces portobello mushrooms, thinly sliced
6 ounces sugar snap peas, strings removed
1 1/2 T. red wine vinegar
1 T. olive oil
1 T. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
freshly ground pepper
4 4-ounce ostrich filets
olive oil cooking spray
freshly ground pepper

Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray a 9 X 13-inch (22.5 X 32.5 cm) baking pan with cooking spray. Spread the beans in the bottom of the pan; sprinkle with minced garlic and stir. Top with sliced tomatoes, mushrooms, and sugar snap peas, placing each in a separate section on top. Sprinkle with vinegar and olive oil. Sprinkle with parsley and pepper. Roast 18 to 20 minutes, stirring gently after 15 minutes, until the mushrooms are tender and sugar snap peas are crisp cooked. While vegetables are roasting, spray the grill with cooking spray, and grill ostrich for 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning once. Grind fresh pepper over ostrich and let stand for 1 minute. Cut each filet into thin slices. To serve, divide the beans and vegetables on 4 dinner plates; place a fanned ostrich filet in the center.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 380
Fat: 6g
Fiber: 10g

Pan-Roasted Venison with Dried Cherry Sauce

Pan-Roasted Venison with Dried Cherry Sauce

4 4-ounce venison loin steaks
salt (optional) and freshly ground pepper
olive oil cooking spray
1 tsp. olive oil
1/4 C. chopped shallots
1/2 C. dry red wine
1 C. canned fat-free low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 T. cornstarch dissolved in 1 T. water
1/3 C. dried no sugar added dried cherries

Season the venison steaks with salt (if using) and freshly ground pepper. Lightly spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and place over high heat. Swirl in the olive oil and when it sizzles, add the venison steaks. Sear for about 2 minutes per side, until well browned. Transfer to a heated platter; keep warm. Add the shallots and red wine to the skillet and cook, stirring, until shallots are wilted and the wine is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the broth and dissolved cornstarch. Lower the heat and cook, stirring, until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Add the dried cherries and venison steaks to the skillet and continue to cook, turning the venison once, for another 2 to 3 minutes. To serve, place a venison steak on each of 4 dinner plates. Spoon on some of the cherry sauce. Serve immediately.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 203
Fat: 4g
Fiber: 1g

Fricasseed Rabbit with Orzo

Fricasseed Rabbit with Orzo

1/2 pound cipolline or pearl onions, roots trimmed
olive oil cooking spray
crushed dried rosemary
crushed dried thyme
1 28-ounce can low-sodium Italian tomatoes, drained
1 T. olive oil
3 bay leaves
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
4 fresh sage leaves
2 sprigs fresh thyme
4 garlic cloves, slightly crushed and pealed
1 2-pound rabbit or chicken, cut into 8 serving pieces
1 C. dry Italian red wine
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
salt (optional)
1 1/3 C. orzo
boiling salted water
chopped flat-leaf parsley

Preheat oven to 325F If using cipolline, peel them and cut in half through the root end. If using pearl onions, peel them and leave them whole. Place on a square of aluminum foil and lightly spray them with cooking spray. Sprinkle on crushed rosemary and thyme to taste. Fold over the foil and seal. Place the packet in the oven to bake until tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, crush the tomatoes with a potato masher or fork. Set aside. In a large nonstick skillet with cover, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, and garlic. Cook, stirring, until herbs are fragrant and garlic is golden, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer herbs and garlic to a small bowl. Set aside. Increase the heat to high and add the rabbit pieces. Brown for 3 minutes per side, turning once. Add the wine, pepper, nutmeg, and salt (if using). Simmer for 1 minute, stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits. Add the tomatoes and reserved herbs. Reduce heat to low, cover, and gently simmer until rabbit is cooked through and no longer pink in the center, 20 to 30 minutes. Cut to test. When rabbit is almost done, bring a pot of lightly salted water to a rapid boil. Stir in orzo, bring back to a boil and cook, uncovered, for 9 to 10 minutes, until orzo is tender. Drain well and keep warm. Transfer rabbit pieces to one end of a large platter. Remove the cipolline from the oven and place in the center next to the rabbit.Spoon the orzo onto the other end of platter. Remove the bay leaves and herb stems from the sauce mixture in the skillet. Bring the sauce to a rapid boil and cook, stirring, for another 2 to 3 minutes to reduce to desired thickness. Spoon sauce over rabbit. Scatter parsley over all and serve.

Yield: 8 servings
Calories: 281
Fat: 8g
Fiber: 2g

Herb-Roasted Rabbit with Pomegranates

Herb-Roasted Rabbit with Pomegranates

2 2-pound rabbits, each cut into 6 pieces
1 T. olive oil
3 ounces Canadian bacon, minced
3 large shallots, minced
2 T. crushed dried rosemary
1 C. fat-free no-salt-added canned chicken broth
1/4 C. dry white wine
seeds of 1 pomegranate
rosemary sprigs, for garnish (optional)

Preheat the oven to 400F (200C), Gas Mark 6. Rinse rabbit pieces and pat dry. Heat oil over medium-high heat; add Canadian bacon and saut until browned, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add shallots and continue to saut for 4 minutes, until shallots are limp. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon mixture; drain on paper towels. Add the rabbit pieces to the skillet and saut for 5 minutes per sides until nicely browned, turning once. Transfer rabbit pieces to a roasting pan. Top with bacon mixture and rosemary. Add chicken broth to the pan. Cover with aluminum foil and roast for 50 to 60 minutes until rabbit is tender. Arrange rabbit on a heated serving platter; keep warm.
Place roasting pan on top of the stove and stir in dry white wine. Cook over medium-high heat, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until reduced by 1/3. Add pomegranate seeds and heat through. Spoon sauce and seeds over the rabbit pieces and garnish with rosemary sprigs, if desired.

Yield: 12 servings
Calories: 209
Fat: 9g
Fiber: 0g

Herb Marinated Ostrich

Herb Marinated Ostrich

2 pounds tender ostrich steaks (approximately 1-1/2 inches thick)

Marinade:
2/3 C. balsamic vinegar
1/4 C. olive oil
2 T. finely chopped garlic
1 T. Rosemary, crushed
1 T. Thyme (leaves)
1 tsp. freshly ground Black Pepper

Combine marinade ingredients in plastic bag; add meat, turning to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator one hour, turning occasionally. Remove meat from marinade; discard marinade. Place meat on rack in broiler pan so that surface of meat is three to four inches from heat. Broil 26 to 31 minutes for medium-rare to medium doneness, turning once. Carve into slices.

Yield: 8 servings
Calories: 118
Fat: 3g
Fiber: 0g

Veal Saltimbocca

Veal Saltimbocca

12 ounces boneless veal leg top round steak or veal leg sirloin steak, cut 1/4 inch thick, or 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
4 slices prosciutto (2 ounces), halved or 2 thin slices cooked ham, quartered
8 fresh sage leaves
2 tsp. olive oil or cooking oil
Dash pepper
1/3 C. dry white wine
2 T. snipped parsley
2 T. grated Parmesan cheese
2 C. hot cooked rice

Rinse chicken (if using); pat dry with paper towels. Cut veal or chicken into 8 pieces. Place each piece of meat between two pieces of plastic wrap. Working from the center to the edges, pound the meat lightly with the flat side of a meat mallet to 1/8-inch thickness. Remove plastic wrap. Place a slice of prosciutto or ham on top of each piece of meat. Add a sage leaf; secure with a wooden pick. Pour the oil into a 12-inch skillet; heat over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the veal or chicken. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until tender and no longer pink. Season with the pepper. Remove meat from skillet; cover and keep meat warm. Remove skillet from heat; let cool 1 minute. Carefully add the wine. Return skillet to heat; cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until wine is reduced slightly, scraping up browned bits in skillet. Add the pan juices, parsley, and Parmesan cheese to the rice; toss to combine. Remove wooden picks from meat. Serve meat on top of rice.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 333
Fat: 11g
Fiber: 2g

Lamb Stir-Fry

Lamb Stir-Fry

1 pound sirloin of lamb, fat removed, thinly sliced
Marinade:
2 T. fresh lemon juice
1 T. finely minced fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 T. low-sodium soy sauce
1 large egg white
2 T. cornstarch
1/8 to 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 C. instant rice, cooked
vegetable oil cooking spray
1 garlic clove minced
2 scallions, white part and 3 inches green, thinly sliced
4 ounces sliced mushrooms
6 ounces snow peas, strings removed
2 T. dry sherry or Chinese cooking wine
1/2 C. low-sodium canned beef broth, fat removed
6 ounces mung bean sprouts
1/4 tsp. sesame oil
Sprigs of fresh cilantro, chopped

Place the lamb in a shallow dish. In a small measuring C., combine the marinade ingredients, whisking until well combined. Pour over lamb, stir, and set aside while you prepare the vegetables and remaining ingredients. Prepare the rice and set aside. Keep warm. Spray a large nonstick skillet or wok with the cooking spray; place over high heat until pan sizzles when tested with a few drops of water. Add the garlic, scallions, and the lamb with marinade. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until lamb is browned. Add the mushrooms and snow peas. Stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the sherry and beef broth; stir until sauce thickens. Just before serving, stir in the bean sprouts and sesame oil. Stir-fry for 1 minute. Divide the rice between 4 plates (we like to use large shallow soup or pasta bowls) and top with 1/4 of the lamb-vegetable mix. Garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 412
Fat: 7g
Fiber: 3g

Herb Venison Paillards and Winter Vegetables

Herb Venison Paillards and Winter Vegetables

1 1/4 lb. venison leg, cut into 4 equal portions
1 T. balsamic vinegar
salt (optional) and freshly ground pepper
1/3 C. mixed fresh herbs (thyme, savory, and rosemary), finely chopped
1/3 C. chopped fresh parsley
1 C. julienned carrots
1 C. julienned rutabaga
1 C. julienned fresh fennel
1 C. julienned leeks
olive oil cooking spray
1 tsp. olive oil
1/3 C. dry white wine or canned fat-free low-sodium chicken broth
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 C. evaporated skim milk

Using a flat mallet or the back of a heavy skillet, lb. the venison very thin. Brush the resulting paillards with balsamic vinegar and season with salt (if using) and freshly ground pepper. In a shallow dish, combine the mixed herbs and half of the parsley. Dredge the venison paillards in the herb mixture, coating both sides. Set aside for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, fill a large skillet with about 1 inch of water. Place a vegetable steamer over it and fill with the vegetables, keeping like kinds together. Bring the water to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and steam the vegetables for about 10 minutes, until cooked crisp.
Just as the vegetables are finishing, spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set over high heat. Add the olive oil and when it sizzles, add the venison paillards and quickly saute for 2 minutes on each side. Transfer the paillards to a heated platter and sprinkle with remaining parsley. Keep warm. Add the white wine to the venison skillet and bring to a boil to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Whisk in the mustard and the evaporated skim milk. Cook, stirring, until reduced slightly, about 2 minutes. To serve, divide the steamed vegetables between 4 heated dinner plates, arranging the vegetables in a half circle on one side of the plate. Place a venison paillard next to the vegetables and spoon the mustard sauce over the venison and vegetables. Serve immediately.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 277
Fat: 5g
Fiber: 3g

Cajun Grilled Duck with Tomato-Melon Salsa

Cajun Grilled Duck with Tomato-Melon Salsa

1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
4 skinless, boneless duck breast halves (about 5 ounces each)
2 T. red currant jelly
4 tsp. balsamic vinegar
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
3 C. cubed (1/2-inch) cantaloupe
3/4 C. cubed (1/2-inch) cucumber
1/2 C. cubed (1/2-inch) tomato
1/3 C. minced red onion

In small bowl, stir together thyme, black pepper, 3/4 tsp. salt, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne. Rub the spice mixture over both sides of the duck. Preheat a grill to medium heat. Lightly oil a grill rack. Cook duck 8 to 10 minutes, turning over once, until medium-rare. Remove and set aside. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, whisk together remaining 1/4 tsp. salt, currant jelly, vinegar, and mustard until well combined. Add cantaloupe, cucumber, tomato, and red onion and toss to combine. Slice duck crosswise on the diagonal. Serve with tomato-melon salsa.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 213
Fat: 2.9g
Fiber: 2g

Cilantro-Chili Grilled Duck

Cilantro-Chili Grilled Duck

2 chipotle peppers in adobo
1/2 C. cilantro leaves and tender stems
1 clove garlic, peeled
3 T. fresh lime juice
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
4 skinless, boneless duck breast halves (about 5 ounces each)
1 large tomato, finely chopped

In food processor, combine chipotle peppers and any sauce that clings to them, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, salt, cumin, coriander, chili powder, and cinnamon. Measure out 1/3 C. of the sauce and set aside. Place duck in a shallow pan, skinned-side down, and pour the remaining sauce over the duck. Let marinate 30 minutes. Preheat the grill to medium. Lightly oil the grill rack. Grill duck 8 to 10 minutes, turning over once, until medium-rare. Remove and set aside. In small bowl, stir together reserved sauce and tomato. Slice duck crosswise on the diagonal and spoon sauce over the duck.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 142
Fat: 2.5g
Fiber: 1.4g

Lean Lemony Veal & Baby Artichokes

Lean Lemony Veal & Baby Artichokes

8 baby artichokes (about 12 oz.) or 2 medium artichokes (see note)
Salt
1 lb. veal cutlets
1 lemon
2 tsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
1 C. chicken broth
1 T. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. minced fresh tarragon leaves

Trim baby artichokes: Bend back green outer leaves and snap them off at base until remaining leaves are half green (at the top) and half yellow (at the bottom). Trim stem ends and cut across top of each artichoke at point where yellow meets green (about 1/2 inch from top). In nonstick 12-inch skillet, heat 1/2 inch salted water to boiling over medium-high heat. Add artichokes; reduce heat to medium-low and cook, covered, 12 minutes or until artichokes are fork-tender. Drain artichokes in colander; cool until easy to handle. Cut each baby artichoke lengthwise into quarters. Do not discard center portion. Meanwhile, if veal cutlets are large, cut each crosswise in half. If necessary, with meat mallet, lb. cutlets to even 1/8-inch thickness. From lemon, grate 2 tsp. peel and squeeze 1 T. juice. In same skillet, heat 1 tsp. oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add half of cutlets; sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper, and cook 2 minutes or until they just lose their pink color throughout, turning over once. Transfer cutlets to platter and keep warm. Repeat with remaining cutlets, 1 tsp. oil, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper (reduce heat to medium if cutlets are browning too quickly). To same skillet, add shallots and 1/2 C. water, and cook over medium heat 1 minute. In C., mix broth and flour. Increase heat to medium-high; add broth mixture and lemon peel, and boil 1 minute or until slightly thickened. Add artichokes, tarragon, and lemon juice, and cook 1 minute to heat through, stirring gently. To serve, spoon artichokes with sauce over veal on platter. Note: If using medium artichokes, with serrated knife, cut 1 inch straight across top of each artichoke. Cut off stem; peel. Pull dark outer leaves from artichoke bottom. With kitchen shears, trim thorny tips of remaining leaves. Cut artichoke lengthwise into sixths. Scrape out choke, removing center petals and fuzzy center portion; discard. Repeat with remaining artichoke. Rinse artichokes well. Cook as in step 2.

Yield: 4 servings

Calories: 180
Fat: 5g
Fiber: 2g

Veal Stew with Tomatoes, Artichokes and Saffron

Veal Stew with Tomatoes, Artichokes and Saffron

1 tsp. vegetable oil
4 medium onions, chopped
1/2 medium red or yellow bell pepper, diced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
15 ounces boneless lean loin of veal, cut into 2″ cubes
1 C. canned whole Italian tomatoes (no salt added), chopped (reserve juice)
4 fluid ounces (1/2 C.) dry white wine
1/4 C. low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 tsp. dried rosemary leaves, crumbled
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Pinch saffron threads, dissolved in 1 T. hot water
One 10-ounce package thawed frozen artichoke hearts
2 T. minced fresh flat-leaf parsley, to garnish

In large nonstick skillet, heat 1/2 tsp. of the oil; add onions and bell pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, 6-7 minutes, until onions are lightly browned. Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, 2 minutes. Remove vegetable mixture from skillet; set aside. In same skillet, heat remaining 1/2 tsp. oil; add veal. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, 8-10 minutes, until veal is browned on all sides and cooked through. Add tomatoes with juice, wine, broth, rosemary, black pepper, saffron and reserved vegetable mixture; cook, scraping up browned bits from bottom of skillet, 5 minutes, until heated through and well combined. Reduce heat to low; simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, 1-1 1/2 hours, until veal is tender. Add artichoke hearts to veal mixture; simmer, covered, 30 minutes, until artichoke hearts are cooked through and veal is very tender. Divide evenly among 4 bowls, sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 234
Fat: 5g
Fiber: 5g

Baked Lamb and Vegetables

Baked Lamb and Vegetables

2 6- to 7-oz. lamb shoulder chops, cut 3/4 inch thick
1/2 C. thin onion wedges
1/3 C. peeled turnip cut into thin bite-size strips
1/4 C. carrot cut into thin bite-size strips
1/4 C. thinly sliced celery
1/8 tsp. garlic salt
1/8 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
Dash black pepper
2 thin lemon slices

Cut two 12-inch squares of heavy foil. Or, cut 4 squares of regular foil. Trim fat from chops. Arrange a chop on each square of heavy foil or on a double layer of regular foil. Place the vegetables on top of the chops. Sprinkle garlic salt, thyme, and pepper evenly over vegetables and chops. Add lemon slices. Bring up 2 opposite edges of foil and seal with a double fold. Fold remaining ends to completely enclose chops and vegetables, leaving space for steam to build. Place packets in a shallow baking pan. Bake in a 350 degree F oven about 50 minutes or until chops are medium (160 degree F) doneness and vegetables are tender. Discard lemon slices before serving.

Yield: 2 servings
Calories: 180
Fat: 7g
Fiber: 2g

Pan-Fried Venison Medallions with Horseradish-Mustard Sauce

Pan-Fried Venison Medallions with Horseradish-Mustard Sauce

3 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
1 pound venison sirloin steaks
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard
1/2 teaspoon prepared horseradish
2 tablespoons sour cream
Italian parsley, chopped

Combine the flour, salt and pepper and dredge the meat in the seasoned flour. Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the meat and quickly saut until the meat is medium-rare, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the meat to a warm platter and set aside. Add the stock to the skillet and stir to melt the caramelized bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Turn the heat to low (this is important to prevent curdling) and stir the mustard, horseradish and sour cream into the stock. Continue cooking the sauce over low heat until it is hot but not boiling. Pour over the meat and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 250 calories
Fat: 12g
Fiber: 0g

Grilled Hoisin-Marinated Venison Loin

Grilled Hoisin-Marinated Venison Loin

1/3 C. hoisin sauce
3 T. rice vinegar
2 T. soy sauce
2 T. minced garlic
1/4 C. minced scallions, including green parts
1 T. honey
1/2 tsp. salt
3 T. olive oil
1 boneless venison strip loin, 2-1/2 to 3 lb., well trimmed, silver skin removed

Whisk together hoisin, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, scallions, honey, salt and oil, and scrape into a large resealable plastic bag. Add venison and seal, turning to coat evenly. Marinate in refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Remove venison from refrigerator and return to room temperature before cooking. Light a gas or charcoal grill and heat to medium. Grill for 15 minutes per side, turning once, for medium rare.

Yield: 6 servings
339 calories
10.7 g fat
0.6 g fiber

Peachy Spiced Lamb Chops

Peachy Spiced Lamb Chops

4 (6-oz.) loin lamb chops, 1 1/2 inches thick, all visible fat removed
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Sauce:
6 oz. dried peach halves (1 C.)
2 C. fat-free chicken stock
1/2 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. ground coriander
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar

Sprinkle both sides of the lamb chops evenly with the garlic salt and pepper, cover tightly, and set aside. Combine the dried peaches and chicken stock in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and boil, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Allow to cool slightly and then spoon the cooked peaches and all the liquid in the pan into a blender or a food processor. Add all the remaining ingredients and puree. If you want a thinner consistency, add a little water. Pour the mixture back into the same pan to reheat. Prepare the grill or preheat the broiler. Broil the lamb chops 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. To serve, place one lamb chop on each of 4 dinner plates and spoon about 1/2 C. of sauce over the top of each chop.

Makes 4 servings
Calories: 374
Fat: 19g

Grilled Quail with Red Wine – Blackberry Sauce

Grilled Quail with Red Wine – Blackberry Sauce

2 (14-oz.) packages quail, dressed with breasts deboned

1 (8-oz.) bottle Italian dressing

1/2 C. dry red wine

1 (9.5-oz.) jar seedless blackberry spread

 

Rinse quail, and pat dry. Place in a large shallow dish or heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag; add Italian dressing. Cover or seal, and chill 8 hours. Remove quail, discarding marinade. Cook wine in a small saucepan over medium heat 5 minutes or until reduced by half. Whisk in blackberry spread until smooth. Reserve 3/4 C.. Grill quail over medium heat (300° to 350°) 15 minutes, turning once and basting with remaining blackberry sauce. Serve with reserved 3/4 C. sauce.

 

Yield:

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Spiced Lamb Chops on Sautéed Peppers and Onions with Garlic and Mint Couscous

Spiced Lamb Chops on Sautéed Peppers and Onions with Garlic and Mint Couscous

tm1408_chops1_lg8 loin lamb chops

Coarse salt and coarse black pepper

2 tsp.  ground cumin, 1/3 palm full

2 tsp.  ground coriander, 1/3 palm full

2 tsp.  sweet paprika, 1/3 palm full

4 T. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

2 green bell peppers, seeded and cubed, 1-inch pieces

1 large yellow skinned onion, cubed, 1-inch pieces

1 C. grape tomatoes

1/2 C. chopped flat-leaf parsley, a couple of handfuls

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

3 T. pine nuts

1 1/2 C. chicken stock

1 1/2 C. couscous

5 or 6 sprigs fresh mint, finely chopped, about 3 T.

 

Cover the chops with waxed paper or plastic and whack each chop with the heel of your palm to flatten it out. Season chops with salt and pepper on both sides. Combine cumin, coriander and paprika and sprinkle the mixture evenly over chops. Pat the spices in place and wash up. Let chops stand 15 minutes. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 T. extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan. Add peppers and onions. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper and cook together 5 minutes, then add grape tomatoes and continue to cook until skins begin to burst on tomatoes. Add half the flat-leaf parsley to the skillet and toss. Transfer vegetables to a platter and cover with loose foil to hold heat. Place a T. of extra-virgin olive oil in a small pot for couscous, just eyeball the amount. Heat oil over medium heat and add garlic. Sauté garlic 1 minute then add the pine nuts to toast a little. Add chicken stock to the pot and bring it up to a boil. Add couscous, remove from heat, and cover the pot. Let stand for 5 minutes. Return skillet to stove and add another T. extra-virgin olive oil, a turn of the pan. Add lamb chops to skillet and sear 2 to 3 minutes on each side for medium rare, cook 4 minutes on each side for medium well chops. Place chops on top of the peppers and onions. Fluff couscous with a fork and stir in mint and the remaining parsley. Pass couscous at the table. It makes a nice bed for the veggies and lamb to catch all the juices.

 

 

Yield:

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Elk Carpaccio with Grilled Corn Tortillas and Arugula with Lemon Vinaigrette

Elk Carpaccio with Grilled Corn Tortillas and Arugula with Lemon Vinaigrette

0043636F1_Elk-Carpaccio-with-Grilled-Corn-Tortillas-and-Arugula-with-Lemon-Vinaigrette_s4x3_lg1 pound fresh domestic elk rib-eye

1 minced fresh jalapeno pepper

1 dozen fresh corn tortillas

1 tablespoon good olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

1/4 cup freshly grated dry Mexican cheese

Lemon Vinaigrette:

2 tablespoons good olive oil

1/2 fresh lemon, juiced

2 dashes green hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)

1/2 teaspoon finely chopped jalapeno

Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

1 1/4 pounds baby arugula

 

Chill the rib-eye in the freezer for 10 minutes to make it easier to slice. Mince 1 fresh jalapeno pepper after removing the seeds and ribs (flavor not heat is important because the domestic elk has such a delicate flavor). Brush the corn tortillas with a little olive oil and place them directly on a hot grill, turn often. You want them crisp and with grill marks.  Mix your vinaigrette using a whisk in a small metal bowl. Slice the raw elk as thinly as possible, arrange on a large chilled platter after tossing the baby arugula in the dressing and placing in the middle of the platter. Sprinkle the minced jalapeno on the meat and drizzle with the good olive oil and the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with the cheese. Break up the grilled tortillas by hand and use the pieces to enjoy the elk.

 

Yield:

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Mechoui

Mechoui

1 four-lb. leg of lamb, trimmed of fat

2 garlic cloves, sliced into thin slivers

1/4 C. Preserved Lemons pulp

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil

1 tsp. ground cumin

8 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces

Freshly ground pepper to taste

Fresh mint leaves

Cumin

Salt for serving

 MECHOUi

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. With the point of a sharp knife, make thin slits around the leg of lamb. Insert the garlic slivers. Set aside.   In a medium bowl, blend the lemon pulp, olive oil, and cumin. With your fingers, spread the paste over the leg of lamb. Completely cover the bottom of a large baking dish with the celery. Set the lamb on top. Sprinkle with pepper.  Insert a meat thermometer into the leg of lamb, taking care it doesn’t come into contact with bone or fat. Bake on the center rack until a crust forms, 12 to 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F. Continue baking until the thermometer registers 165 degrees to 175 degrees F, 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hours.   Remove the lamb from the oven and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. To serve, place the lamb slices on a bed of mint leaves. Surround with the braised celery. Serve the pan juices in a separate bowl. Place saucers filled with cumin and salt around the table for dipping.

 

 

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Rabbit Roasted with Sweet Fennel

Rabbit Roasted with Sweet Fennel

2 1/2-2 3/4-lb. rabbit, cut into 8 to 10 serving pieces

5 cloves garlic, peeled

2-inch sprig fresh rosemary or 1 1/2 tsp. dried

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 bulb. fresh fennel, cored, cut into 1 1/2-inch wedges

1 large onion, cut into 1 1/2-inch wedges

3 oz. pancetta (unsmoked Italian bacon), minced

1 tsp. fennel seed, coarsely ground

1/2 C. coarsely chopped fennel tops

1/4 C. extra-virgin olive oil

3/4 C. dry white wine

1/2 C. low-sodium chicken stock

rabb

The night before cooking, rinse and dry the rabbit pieces. Use a mortar and pestle or a knife on a cutting board to make a paste of 2 garlic cloves, the rosemary, salt and pepper. Rub the paste over the rabbit pieces. Put them on a plate, cover lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Have ready a shallow roasting pan large enough to hold the rabbit in a single layer, with space for the vegetables. Arrange the rabbit pieces in the pan. Dab the rabbit pieces with any seasoning rub that may have been left on the plate. Scatter the fennel, onion, pancetta, remaining 2 cloves garlic, fennel seed and half the fennel tops over the rabbit. Sprinkle with the olive oil and a bit of salt and pepper. Roast 30 minutes, basting often with the pan juices. Pour in 1/2 C. of the wine and roast another 1 hour. Baste often, turning the pieces occasionally. Add a little water to the pan if the pan is dry. Increase the heat to 450 degrees, cook until the rabbit is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Turn the rabbit and vegetable pieces and roast until golden on the other side, basting once with the pan juices, about 10 minutes. Transfer the rabbit and vegetables to a heated platter and keep them warm in the turned off oven with the door open. Quickly make a pan sauce by setting the roasting pan over two stove burners turned to high. Add remaining 1/4 C. wine and the stock. Scrape up the brown glaze from the bottom of the roasting pan as the liquids boil down by about half, 3 to 5 minutes. Scatter the remaining fennel leaves over the rabbit. Pass the sauce with the rabbit at the table.

 

 

 

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Duck Breast with Wild Mushrooms

Duck Breast with Wild Mushrooms

2 boneless whole duck breasts, about 1 lb each

1/4 C. unsalted butter

2 T. chopped shallots

2 cloves garlic, crushed and then finely chopped

6 oz fresh chanterelle mushrooms, brushed clean, trimmed and coarsely chopped

6 oz fresh oyster mushrooms, brushed clean, trimmed and coarsely chopped

5 oz fresh shiitake mushrooms, brushed clean, trimmed and coarsely chopped

1/3 C. dry white wine

1 C. veal stock or purchased beef stock

1 T. chopped fresh parsley

 

Preheat an oven to 400 degrees. Using a sharp knife, trim off the excess fat from around the edges of the duck breasts. Score the remaining skin covering the breast in a cross-hatch pattern every 1 inch. Rub salt and pepper to taste onto all sides of the breasts. Place them, skin side down, in an ovenproof sauté pan. Place the pan over high heat and heat until the breasts begin to sizzle loudly, 2-3 minutes. Then slip the sauté pan into the oven and cook for 10 minutes. Turn the breasts over and continue to cook in the oven until firm to the touch, about 5 minutes longer for medium-rare. Remove the duck breasts from the pan and keep warm. Pour off the fat from the sauté pan. Place the pan over medium-high heat. Add the butter and, when it melts, add the shallots and garlic and sauté just until the shallots are translucent, 1-2 minutes. Add all of the mushrooms and salt and pepper to taste and continue to sauté until the mushrooms begin to soften, 2-3 minutes. Add the wine and cook until reduced by one-third, about 2 minutes. Add the veal stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Meanwhile, cut the duck breasts crosswise on the diagonal into slices 1/2 inch thick. Spoon the mushrooms onto a warmed serving platter or individual plates. Arrange the sliced breasts on top. Serve immediately.

 

 

Yield:

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Talas Boregi (Puff Pastry Meat Pies)

Talas Boregi (Puff Pastry Meat Pies)

1 onion, chopped

2 T. olive oil

1 lb. ground lamb

Salt & pepper

1/2 t. ground cinnamon

1/2 t. ground allspice

3 T. pine nuts

2 T. currants or small black raisins

3-4 T. chopped parsley

1 c. frozen peas

14 oz. frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions

1 egg, separated

 puff-pastry-meat-pies2

Fry onion in oil until soft and slightly caramelized.  Add lamb, salt, pepper and spices.  Break up pieces of meat with a fork or spatula.  Cook until meat is done and juices are absorbed.  Stir in pine nuts, currants, parsley and peas.  Let cool. Adjust seasoning, if needed. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut the thawed puff pastry into 8 pieces.  Roll out each piece a bit on a floured piece of wax paper with a floured rolling pin.  Flip a time or two, dusting each time with flour.  Spread a heaping tablespoon of filling onto one half of each piece of pastry (there will be filling left over, which is good to eat by itself).  Brush the edges of that half of pastry with egg white.  Fold pastry over to cover the filling.  Press edges with the tines of a fork.  Flip over and press the edges of the other side with the fork tines. Place the pastries on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  Whisk the egg yolk with a drop of water.  Brush the tops of the pastries with the egg yolk/water mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and puffed up.

 

Greek-Style Lamb Burgers with Minted Yogurt Sauce

Greek-Style Lamb Burgers with Minted Yogurt Sauce

For yogurt sauce:

1 12-ounce container plain yogurt

2 small garlic cloves, minced and mashed to a paste with 1/4 tsp.  salt

3 T. shredded fresh mint leaves, or to taste

For burgers:

2 lb. ground lamb

1/2 C. crumbled feta cheese

1/2 C. finely chopped pitted Kalamata olives (12 to 15)

6 small pita loaves, each split halfway around edge to form a pocket

2 small vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced

2 small green bell peppers, cut into rings

1 red onion, sliced thin

Make yogurt sauce: Drain yogurt in a sieve lined with a dampened paper towel set over a bowl 30 minutes. Transfer drained yogurt to a small bowl and stir in garlic paste and mint. Make burgers: Prepare grill. Handling lamb as gently as possible, in a bowl combine lamb with feta and olives and form into six 1-inch-thick patties. Season burgers lightly with salt and pepper to taste and grill on an oiled rack set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals 7 minutes on each side for medium-rare. Transfer burgers to pita pockets and top with tomatoes, bell peppers and onion. Serve burgers with yogurt sauce.

 

Yield:

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Grilled Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Lemon, Herbs, and Garlic

Grilled Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Lemon, Herbs, and Garlic

lamb8 garlic cloves

3 T. chopped fresh thyme leaves

2 T. chopped fresh rosemary leaves

2 T. chopped fresh parsley leaves

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 T. coarse salt

3 T. olive oil Paste

a 7- to 8-lb. leg of lamb, trimmed of all fat, boned, and butterflied by butcher (4 to 4 3/4 lb. boneless)

1 lemon

 

Finely chop garlic and in a small bowl stir together with remaining herb-rub ingredients. Put lamb in a large dish and with tip of a sharp small knife held at a 45-degree angle cut 1/2-inch-deep slits all over lamb, rubbing herb mixture into slits and all over lamb. Marinate lamb at room temperature 1 hour. Prepare grill. Lightly pat lamb dry. On a lightly oiled rack set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals grill lamb about 10 minutes on each side, or until an instant-read thermometer horizontally inserted into thickest part of meat registers 125°F for medium-rare. (Alternatively, roast lamb in a roasting pan in middle of a 425°F oven about 25 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer horizontally inserted into meat registers 125°F for medium-rare.) Transfer lamb to a cutting board. Halve and seed lemon. Squeeze juice over lamb and let stand, loosely covered with foil, 15 minutes. Cut lamb into slices and serve with any juices that have accumulated on cutting board.

 

 

 

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Balsamic Poached Veal with Roasted Garlic Sauce

Balsamic Poached Veal with Roasted Garlic Sauce

1 1/2 C. olive oil

1 1/2 C. white wine

3/4 C. balsamic vinegar

1 bay leaf

1/2 tsp. salt

2 white peppercorns

 

In a large pot, combine all of the ingredients except for the veal. Bring the liquid to a boil. Add the veal to the pot and simmer on medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool, in the liquid, to room temperature. Slice the meat into 16 thin medallions. Serve with Roasted Garlic Sauce.

 

Roasted Garlic Sauce:

 

1 1/2 tsp. olive oil

3 garlic heads, halved

2 T. sour cream

3 thyme sprigs, leaves removed

1 C. chicken stock

4 ounces (1 stick) butter

 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Brush olive oil onto a sheet pan and place the garlic on top. Roast the garlic in the oven until very soft, for about 45 minutes, covering with foil if it begins to burn. Squeeze out the cloves. Blend the garlic, sour cream, and thyme leave until smooth. In a small saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil. Blend in the garlic. Just before serving, heat mixture, remove from the heat, and whisk in butter.

 

 

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Leg of Venison with Cider-Baked Apples, Red Chard, and Cranberry Sauce

Leg of Venison with Cider-Baked Apples, Red Chard, and Cranberry Sauce

venisonVenison:

2 tsp. black peppercorns

2 tsp. juniper berries

2 tsp. fennel seeds

2 tsp. dried or fresh thyme leaves

1/2 cup olive oil

1 (3-pound) boneless venison leg roast or turkey breast, trimmed and tied

Cranberry sauce:

1 cinnamon stick, snapped in half

4 tsp. fennel seeds

4 tsp. whole cloves

4 tsp. black peppercorns

4 tsp. juniper berries

6 cups fresh cranberries (about 12 ounces)

1 1/2 cups red wine, such as pinot noir

1 cup balsamic vinegar

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup undiluted orange juice concentrate

Cider-baked apples:

4 cups apple cider

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

6 star anise pods (optional)

2 cinnamon sticks

4 whole cloves

1/2 tsp. ground allspice

1/4 cup unsalted butter

4 Braeburn, Jonathan, Gala, or Red Delicious apples, cored and halved lengthwise

Chard:

2 T. unsalted butter

2 bunches firm red or white chard, stemmed

1/4 cup apple cider (or cider residue from baked apples)

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

 

To prepare venison: In a spice grinder or food processor, grind the peppercorns, juniper berries, fennel seeds, and thyme together. Mix with 4 T. of the olive oil and rub on the venison. Cover and let stand in the refrigerator for 4 to 12 hours. Remove the venison from the refrigerator 1 hour before cooking to come to room temperature.  To make the cranberry sauce: In a food processor or spice grinder, coarsely grind the cinnamon, fennel seeds, cloves, peppercorns, and juniper berries together. Place in a cheesecloth square and tie closed with a string. In a heavy medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, wine, vinegar, sugar, and orange juice concentrate. Add the spice bundle and bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cranberries are very soft. Remove the spice bundle, pour the sauce into a bowl, and let cool. Use now, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving. While the cranberry sauce cools, make the baked apples: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. In a medium saucepan, cook the cider, vinegar, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and butter for 5 minutes. Place the apples, cut-side down, in a baking pan. Pour the cider mixture over the apples. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until semisoft; set aside and keep warm, or reheat just before serving. To make the venison: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large skillet, heat the remaining 4 T. oil and brown the venison on all sides. Place on a rack in a roasting pan and roast in the oven for about 50 minutes for medium-rare. For medium-done, roast 6 to 7 minutes longer. Remove the venison from the oven, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and let stand for 5 minutes before slicing. To make the chard: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chard and apple cider and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.

To serve, transfer the venison to a platter and arrange the apples beside it. Divide the chard and cranberry sauce between bowls. Serve.

 

 

Game Seasoning:

 

1 T. salt

1/4 tsp. ground white peppercorn

1/4 tsp. minced rosemary

2 fresh bay leaves, minced

1/2 tsp. juniper berries

1/2 tsp. minced thyme

 

In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients.

 

Yield:

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Olive-Butter Broiled Lamb Chops with Caramelized Zucchini Orzo

Olive-Butter Broiled Lamb Chops with Caramelized Zucchini Orzo

lambSalt

½ lb. Orzo Pasta

2 T. EVOO, plus more for drizzling

2 small Zucchini, cut into thin disks

1 small Onion, sliced

3 cloves Garlic, chopped

Pepper

4 T. Butter, softened

3 T. Olive Tapenade

12 ½” thick Lamb Loin Chops

Zest and Juice of 1 Lemon

¼ C. fresh Flat Leaf Parsley, chopped

½ C. grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

 

Bring large pot of water to a boil for orzo. Add generous amount of salt and cook until al dente. Preheat broiler to high. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat with the 2 T. EVOO. Add zucchini, onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Cooking, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes, or until zucchini are cooked and lightly caramelized. Combine butter with olive tapenade and reserve in refrigerator. Arrange lamb chops on a slotted broiler pan. Drizzle EVOO over chops and season with salt and pepper.  Broil chops for 3 minutes on each side for medium rare, 5 minutes for well done. Squeeze lemon juice over them. Add drained orzo to the zucchini and onions, stir in lemon zest, parsley and grated cheese; toss to distribute.  Remove chops from oven and butter from fridge. Top each chop with a little olive butter and serve with pasta.

 

 

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The Merchant of Venison Chops with Red Wine Mushroom Sauce and Bulgur Porridge

The Merchant of Venison Chops with Red Wine Mushroom Sauce and Bulgur Porridge

VenisonVenison chops:

6 (6 to 7-oz.) venison chops

1 T. juniper berries

1 T. coriander seeds

3 star anise

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. black peppercorns

1 T. olive oil

Sauce:

2 shallots, minced

2 C. white mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed and sliced

1 (750-ml) bottle dry red wine

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

 

Bulgur Porridge:

1 C. bulgur (because it is pre-steamed, it can be soaked in boiling water to make it meal-ready)

1/2 tsp. salt

 

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 sauté 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, sauté 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 C. 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.

 

Yields:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

 

Pan Fried Duck Breasts with Red Wine Sauce

Pan Fried Duck Breasts with Red Wine Sauce

2 dPan-fried Duck with Red Wine Sauce 2uck breasts
Salt and pepper
1 T. olive oil
1 shallot
1 clove of garlic, crushed
1 T. balsamic vinegar
2 T. redcurrant jelly
1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
250ml red wine
Salt and pepper
Small knob of butter

1 bulb of garlic
Drizzle of olive oil
750g potatoes
25g butter
50ml milk, warmed
Salt and pepper
1 T. parsley, finely chopped (optional)

6-8 shallots
1 T. butter
1 tsp sugar
Salt and pepper

Asparagus (or other green veg of your choice)
Small knob of butter
Salt and pepper

Pre-heat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas mark 6. Start by preparing the garlic for the mashed potatoes. Cut the top off the garlic bulb about 1cm down (not the end that has the root). The idea is to expose all the cloves so that they turn golden as they cook and the flavour mellows. Place on a square of aluminum foil large enough to wrap around the garlic and season with a little salt and pepper and then drizzle with the olive oil. Wrap securely in the foil and place in the oven on a medium shelf for approximately 40 minutes. When ready, remove from the oven and leave to cool. While the garlic is roasting make the red wine sauce. Heat the oil in a small pan and gently sauté the onion or shallots for 5 minutes until softened but not coloured. Add the garlic and continue to cook for another minute before adding the balsamic vinegar. Increase the heat and cook until the vinegar has evaporated (a few minutes). Add the redcurrant jelly, thyme, wine and seasoning and leave to simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring from time to time. If you prefer, make the sauce in advance then simply reheat before serving. Peel the potatoes and cut into large chunks then pop in a pot filled with cold salted water. Cover with a tight fitting lid and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for approximately 20 minutes or until they are tender.

While the potatoes are cooking prepare the shallots. Add the shallots to a pan of boiling water and cook for 2 minutes. Drain and leave until cool enough to handle, then remove the skins and set aside. If you have any large shallots cut them in half so that they are all similar in size.

Trim any excess fat from the duck breasts and then score the skin with a roughly 5 or 6 diagonal cuts – be careful that you only score the skin and don’t cut through to the meat. Season the skin side with some salt and pepper. Heat a large frying pan until hot and add the duck breasts, skin side down. Cook over a high heat until the skin is golden brown and crispy then turn and cook for another 30 seconds (watch because there will be a lot of fat in the pan and it will spit!!) Remove from the pan and put in an oven proof dish and place in the oven, skin side up, for 7 minutes. Remove from the oven when ready, transfer to a plate then cover with foil and leave to rest.

Meanwhile, finish cooking the shallots. Melt the butter in a pan that has a lid and add the shallots, sugar and seasoning. Cover with the lid and cook over a medium heat for approx. 10 minutes, shaking the pan from time to time, until tender and caramelized.

Boil some water for the asparagus in a pan. Prepare the asparagus by ‘snapping’ off the woody bottoms. (Take one stem of asparagus, hold it at both ends and bend it – it will snap naturally near the bottom.) Once the water is boiling add a good pinch of salt and cook the asparagus for 2-3 minutes (depending on how thick they are) then drain. Return to the pan and add the butter. Cover with a lid and keep warm.

Drain the potatoes when they are ready and mash well with the butter and warmed milk. Squeeze in roughly half of the garlic cloves from the bottom of the bulb and mash into the potatoes. It may seem like a lot of garlic but the flavour will be far less intense than raw garlic and almost sweet. Season with salt and pepper and add the parsley if using.

When ready to serve, spoon some of the mashed potato onto each plate then slice the duck into approx. 6 pieces and arrange on each serving plate on top of the potatoes. Add the vegetables and the top with the red wine sauce and serve immediately.

David Lebovitz Counterfeit Duck Confit (Faux Confit de Canard)

David Lebovitz Counterfeit Duck Confit (Faux Confit de Canard)

The trick to this ridiculously easy technique is to use a dish that will hold the duck thighs snugly pressed together, which allows them to “confit” as they bake. If you only have a larger dish, increase the recipe and cook extra duck legs. Note that this has to chill in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.

4 duck thighs (thigh and leg attached)
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. gin
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. allspice
2 cloves garlic, peeled and halved lengthwise
2 bay leaves

Prick the duck all over with a needle, piercing the skin. Mix the salt, gin, nutmeg and allspice in a baking dish that will fit the duck legs snugly, with no room around them. Rub the spice mixture all over the meat. Put the garlic (cut lengthwise) and bay leaves on the bottom of the baking dish and lay the duck legs, flesh-side down, on top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. Put the duck in a cold oven. Turn the oven on to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the duck thighs for 2.5 hours, taking them out during baking once or twice and basting them with any duck fat pooling around. To finish the duck, increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the skin is deeply browned and very crispy. Once your duck is cooked, keep that fat pooling in your baking dish — it’s great for frying up potatoes, or even chicken.

Thyme-Roasted Duck Breast with Orange-Wine Sauce

Thyme-Roasted Duck Breast with Orange-Wine Sauce

2 T. olive oil
1 C. chopped carrots
1 C. chopped celery
1/2 C. chopped shallots
1/4 C. chopped garlic
1 bottle (750 ml.) dry red wine
1 C. orange juice
5 sprigs fresh thyme, rinsed, plus 3 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
2 dried bay leaves
3 duck breast halves (about 10 oz. each; see notes)
Salt and pepper
1/2 C. heavy whipping cream
6 C. baby arugula leaves (5 oz.), rinsed and crisped

Pour olive oil into a 12-inch ovenproof nonstick frying pan (with at least 2-in.-tall sides) over medium heat. When hot, add carrots, celery, shallots, and garlic; stir often until vegetables are slightly limp and beginning to brown, about 7 minutes. Add wine, orange juice, 5 sprigs thyme, and bay leaves; increase heat to high and boil, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced by about half and is slightly syrupy, about 15 minutes. Pour through a fine strainer into a glass measure; you should have about 1 C.. Discard vegetables. Wipe pan dry. Rinse duck breasts and pat dry. Score the skin of each in a crosshatch pattern, making cuts about an inch apart, through the skin into the layer of fat. Sprinkle lightly all over with salt and pepper. Set same frying pan over medium-high heat; when hot, lay duck breasts, skin side down, in pan. Cook until beginning to brown on the bottom, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Spoon out and discard any fat in pan. Turn breasts over and sprinkle evenly with thyme leaves. Transfer pan with duck to a 425° oven. Roast until well browned on the surface but still slightly pink in center of thickest part (cut to test), 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer duck to a rimmed cutting board and let rest in a warm place for 5 minutes. Skim off and discard fat from pan juices. Set pan over medium-high heat and add orange-wine reduction and cream. Stir often, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan, until sauce is boiling and coats the back of a spoon in a thin layer, 2 to 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide arugula among six plates. Slice duck breasts across the grain and fan equally over arugula. Drizzle a little warm orange-wine sauce over duck and greens. Pour remaining into a small pitcher and pass, for guests to add to taste.