Venison Medallions with Dried Cherry Sauce

[malachi]

Venison Medallions with Dried Cherry Sauce

Serves 2 as Main Dish.

This dish offsets the rich and powerful flavor of venison with the sweetness and tartness of dried cherries – creating a unique balance. The side dishes are designed to further emphasize the complexity of the flavor of venison. The corncakes provide a sweet and spicy earthiness while the greens add a punch of bitter to offset the sweet. The dish should pair well with a good quality Merlot or a medium to light bodied Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Venison

• 1/2 lb venison medallions
  
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
• 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
  
• 2 tsp chopped fresh sage
  
• 1 T crushed juniper berries
  
• 1/2 tsp coarse mustard
  
• 1/2 c extra virgin olive oil
  
• 1 T frozen butter
  

Dried Cherry Sauce

• 3/4 c dried cherries
  
• 1/2 c fresh chicken stock (can substitute with low-sodium chicken broth)
  
• 1/4 c Brandy
  
• 1 bay leaf
  
• 1/4 tsp chopped fresh thyme
  
• 1/2 clove garlic (sliced)
  
• 1 whole clove
  
• 1/2 tsp green peppercorns
  

Spicy Corn Cakes

• 2 ears fresh corn (can substitute 1 small can crisp sweet corn, well rinsed)
  
• 3 green onions, chopped up to the green
  
• 2 T fresh jalapeno chili, minced
  
• 1 egg
  
• 1/4 c milk
  
• 1/2 c flour
  
• 1/4 c cornmeal
  
• 1-1/4 tsp baking powder
  
• 1 tsp salt
  
• 1 tsp red chili powder
  
• 1/2 tsp sugar
  
• Canola oil
  
• unsalted butter
  

Pan Wilted Vinegared Greens

• 1 bunch chopped Fresh Kale or Chard (spinach can be substituted)
  
• 1 T butter
  
• 1 T canola oil
  
• 2 tsp salt
  
• 2 T sherry vinegar (red wine vinegar can be substituted)
  

Season the medallions with salt and pepper. Combine all the remaining ingredients except the butter in a mixing bowl. Place the venison in a large ziplock bag and pour the combined ingredients into the bag. Eliminate as much air as possible from the bag and place in the refrigerator overnight.

Remove the venison (still in the marinade) and allow to come to room temperature (30-45 minutes).

Heat a large, heavy frying pan over high heat. Add the medallions and sear on each side for 4 minutes. Remove the venison from the frying pan and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Heat the dried cherry sauce (see below) and whisk in the frozen butter.

Serve the venison with the dried cherry sauce poured over them and with the corn cakes (recipe below) and greens (recipe below) on the side.

Enjoy

Dried Cherry Sauce

Reserve ¼ cup of dried cherries.

Combine all remaining ingredients in a saucepan over high heat. Bring contents to a boil and lower heat to a very low simmer. Cook until liquid is reduced by ½.

Strain through fine strainer and add the, roughly chopped, reserved cherries and salt and pepper to taste. Hold covered off the heat at room temperature for at least 15 minutes until ready to serve. (See instructions above for serving notes.)

Note: Can be prepared in advance, refrigerated and reheated.

Spicy Corn Cakes

Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the shucked corn to it. Cover and remove from the heat for 8 minutes. Remove the corn from the pot and cool in running cold water. Once cooled, cut the kernels off the cob and combine in a bowl with the green onions, jalapeno, milk and eggs.

Combine the dry ingredients in another bowl. Combine dry and wet ingredients and mix well.

Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat and add oil and butter in equal parts. When the butter is melted, ladle the corn cake mixture into the pan to create 4 inch pancakes. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown and flip. Repeat for the other side.

Note: Can be prepared in advance and reheated in a medium oven.

Pan Wilted Vinegared Greens

Wash the greens well and do not dry.

Heat the butter and oil in a large, flat bottomed pan until butter is melted.

Add the greens and the salt.

Using tongs, stir and toss the greens constantly until they begin to wilt. When wilted, remove from heat.

Strain the greens and serve with the vinegar sprinkled over them.

Keywords: Main Dish, Intermediate, Game, Dinner, American

( RG524 )