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 »
Purple Cabbage and Apple Soup
This vibrant soup is a soul-soothing hug in a bowl. Blue and purple fruits and vegetables contain powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins that promote health and proper brain function. Apple swap Try swapping out the apples in this recipe for pears. Just like the apples, the subtle sweetness of pears helps balance out the earthiness of the cabbage.
Herb and Greens Frittata
Deep green fruits and vegetables are high on the list of health-promoting foods. Green foods have been shown to contain high amounts of antioxidants and nutrients that promote good cardiovascular health and can inhibit certain carcinogens. Serve this frittata alongside a leafy green salad for an unbeatable green culinary experience. Versatile leftovers Any leftover frittata makes a wonderful filling for a sandwich along with other thinly sliced vegetables you have on hand and a smear of hummus.
Caramelized Fennel and Yogurt Dip
This creamy dip will be your go-to for dunking vegetables or for spooning over roast chicken or root vegetables as a sauce. Compounds found in fennel have been shown to stimulate the production of T-cells in our body, which, in turn, may help improve our immune response to infections. If white is right If you would like to stay on the white theme, try serving this dip with an array of white vegetables such as endive leaves, jicama sticks, daikon rounds, steamed nugget potatoes, and cauliflower florets.
Tempeh and Mango Curry
The stars of this delicious curry dish are yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, which are high in a form of carotenoids called xanthophylls. These compounds have more of a yellow pigment as opposed to their orangier cousins, the carotenes. While a powerful antioxidant, xanthophylls are mostly associated with maintaining good eye health. Mix and match This curry is easily adaptable to whichever vegetables you have on hand. Experiment to find your favourite combination.