Date and Pecan-Crusted Venison
The date and pecan crust in this dish balances the slight gaminess of the venison, which is increasingly available at specialty meat shops. Green beans and turnip make great side dishes.
2 cups (500 mL) pecans
1/2 cup (125 mL) icing sugar
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) pitted Medjool dates
2 Tbsp (30 mL) brandy
2 cups (500 mL) water
3 lb (1.5 kg) venison striploin
Fleur de sel and fresh pepper
Blanch pecans for 1 minute in simmering water. Drain and dry quickly. Toss with icing sugar; then arrange on a baking sheet. Bake at 325 F (160 C) for 10 minutes or until caramelized. Remove and let cool. Keep some of the nicest ones whole as a garnish before chopping the rest. Set aside.
Place dates in a pot with brandy and water. Cook on medium-high heat until dates are almost dry. Pure in a food processor. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Clean the loin of any sinew. Season venison with salt and pepper and sear on all sides in a pan over medium-high heat. Remove and spread with a thin layer of date pure. Coat with chopped pecans, pressing down to ensure they stick.
Place coated venison on tray and bake until medium-rare, about 15 to 20 minutes, or to an internal temperature of 125 to 130 F (52 to 54 C). Let meat rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Serves 6.
source: "Rustic Regionalism", alive #313, November 2008
Date and Pecan-Crusted Venison
Directions
READ THIS NEXT
SEE MORE »
Cardamom and Ginger Scented Farro Breakfast Porridge
Look for whole grain farro, which leaves the germ and bran intact, for this satisfying porridge that’s sure to kickstart your day. While the cooking time is longer than for pearled or semi-pearled varieties, you’ll get more nutrition. Take the time to enjoy the delicate scent of cardamom and ginger wafting through your kitchen as you prepare this. Ancient grain Farro (also referred to as emmer or einkorn) is a variety of wheat known as an ancient grain, which means that it hasn’t changed over time through breeding as is the case with many varieties of modern wheat.
Chocolate and Orange Chickpea Pudding
Spanish-inspired flavours of almond and orange and a good punch of protein make this pudding a delicious and nutritious breakfast, snack, or dessert. The tiniest amount of large-flake sea salt and a drizzle of olive oil help bring all the flavours together. Amp up the orange For some additional orange flavour, when cooking chickpeas from dry, add a few strips of orange zest to the cooking water. Tastier toast Take your toast to the next level by using this pudding as a satisfying spread.
Sorghum Tabbouleh with Kale and Navy Beans
Breaking with tradition, think of this as a guise of tabbouleh salad with staying power, thanks to the addition of hearty sorghum and fibre-rich navy beans. It also ages fairly well, so it serves as a make-ahead meal that can keep for up to 3 days. A perfect plant-based option for weekday lunches.
Chickpea Salad with Nigella Roasted Sweet Potato and Grated Carrots
This versatile salad featuring chickpeas in a bright, fragrant dressing, holds well in the fridge. Make it in advance or keep it for leftovers. Nigella seeds, also known as kalonji, lend a sweet, nutty flavour with an ever-so-slightly bitter edge that pairs perfectly with sweet potato’s sweetness. Chickpeas please! Chickpeas are a great source of dietary fibre; just 1 cup (250 mL) contains 42 percent of the recommended daily allowance. They’re also a very good source of manganese, which is important for calcium absorption and blood sugar regulation.