Saturday, June 5, 2010

Venison Tenderloin

serves 6

4 pounds venison tenderloin
1 cup red wine
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 bay leaves
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 sprigs fresh rosemary

Combine the red wine, vinegar, onion, garlic, bay leaves, thyme and rosemary in a large ziploc bag and mix well. Put the venison tenderloin into the bag. Close tightly, pressing out as much air as you can. Place meat in the refrigerator to marinate, turning two or three times, for at least 12 hours.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Remove meat from marinade, and place on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until the temperature reaches 150 degrees. Let the roast stand for 15 to 20 minutes before carving.

While the tenderloin roasts, heat marinade in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer until the liquid is reduced by 1/3. Remove all but a few tablespoons of the sauce and whisk in 2 tbsp flour. Slowly add the rest of the sauce back in, along with milk or beef broth. Continue to add liquid and reduce until there is about two cups of gravy. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with venison.

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This was my first time ever eating venison, let alone cooking it. The marinade was great (especially the gravy), even though it was quite vinegary. The resident venison expert (my fiancé) was awed at how much better it was than any venison he had eaten before. Perhaps the butter-baste was partially responsible. =)

Considering how dry the meat is, I would probably cook it in a crock pot next time, which would eliminate the need for a marinade. However, it was a very good introduction to venison. Definitely repeatable.

Chicken with Cilantro and Lime

1 whole chicken, 4-5 pounds
or 6-8 drumsticks, breasts, or thighs

Marinade:
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 tsp onion powder or 1 tbsp grated onion
2 tbsp cilantro
1/2 tsp ground chile pepper

If roasting a whole chicken, remove giblets. Rinse chicken inside and out with warm water. Tie chicken with kitchen string if you will be cooking it on the rotisserie.

Mix marinade ingredients in large ziploc bag. Put chicken or pieces in bag and marinate 6-8 hours in refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 450. Roast about 15-20 minutes per pound. When done, temperature should be 180 (170 for breasts, thighs, or drumsticks).

Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Quick Lemonade

almost from scratch!

1/2 cup lemon juice
5 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar syrup

Mix, add ice, enjoy on a hot day!

Sugar Syrup

yields 1 1/2 cups syrup

1 cup water
1 cup sugar

Mix and heat until sugar dissolves completely. Use in lemonade, teas, and other beverages in which excessive stirring to dissolve sugar is not desired.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Super Chicken Divan

aka One Amazing Cholesterol Trip

1 lb chicken, cubed
2 cups broccoli
2 tbsp butter
1 cup onion, chopped
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup white wine
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1 cup bread crumbs
1 tsp ground nutmeg

Cook chicken in butter and olive oil. Cut broccoli into 1/2 inch spears. In 2-quart saucepan, heat 1 inch salted water to boiling. Add broccoli. Boil uncovered 5 minutes; drain and keep warm.

In the same saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Saute onions until soft. Add remaining ingredients, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly. Add chicken pieces. Serve over rice or noodles.

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Sort of based on two Betty Crocker recipes, one for Turkey Divan, one for Chicken Divan. I couldn't decide which one I had more ingredients for, so I just combined them. I got an all-star approval!

Monday, April 5, 2010

Cranberry Meatballs

makes 3-4 dozen

Meatballs:
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs
2 large eggs
1 tbsp hot sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1/2 red or green bell pepper, finely chopped

Sauce:
1 can (approx. 15 ounces) whole berry cranberry sauce
1/2 tbsp hot sauce
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar

Line 2 large baking dishes with nonstick foil or regular foil sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Heat oven to 325°.

Combine meatball ingredients, blending well. Form mixture into 1-inch meatballs and arrange in a single layer in the two prepared baking dishes. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Drain well on paper towels. Put the meatballs in a slow cooker or large saucepan. Combine the sauce ingredients and pour over the meatballs, stirring gently. Bring to a simmer over medium heat; reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. If using a crock pot, cover and cook on low for 2 to 4 hours. Bring to a simmer over medium heat; reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with toothpicks from a slow cooker on low setting or serve warm from a chafing dish.