Roast Loin of Venison with Cranberries

From: arielle@taronga.com (Stephanie da Silva)

Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1993 06:43:09 GMT


2 thick slices of lemon
2 thick slices of orange
2 slices of peeled fresh ginger
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 small bay leaf
2 cups fresh cranberries
4 pounds boneless loin of venison, at room temperature
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
3/4 teaspoon finely chopped juniper berries
2 cups dry red wine
2 cups beef or venison stock
2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish

In a medium nonreactive saucepan, combine the lemon, orange, ginger, 
sugar and bay leaf with 1 cup of cold water.  Bring to a boil over high 
heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.  Reduce the heat to moderate and 
boil, uncovered, until syrupy, 10 to 15 minutes.

Stir in the cranberries, then remove from heat and cool.  Transfer the 
mixture to a glass container, coer and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days, 
stirring once or twice during that time.

Preheat the oven to 400F.  Rub the venison with the olive oil, 3/4 
teaspoon of the salt, 1 teaspoon of the pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of 
the chopped juniper berries, pressing the seasonings into the meat.  
Set the loin on a rack in a roasting pan and roast, basting frequently 
with the pan juices, until medium-rare (about 135F on a meat thermometer), 
25 to 30 minutes.  Cover the venison loosely with foil and set aside for 
10 to 15 minutes before carving.

Meanwhile, remove and discard the bay leaf and the lemon, orange and 
ginger slices from the cranberries.  In a food processor or blender, 
puree half the cranberries and half the liquid until smooth.

In a medium nonreactive saucepan, boil the wine over high heat until 
reduced to 1/2 cup, about 5 mintues.  Add the stock and bring to a boil.  
Add the cranberry puree, reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 
until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.  Remove from heat.

Strain the reamining whole cranberrie and add them to the sauce with the
remaining 1/4 teaspoon each of salt, pepper and chopped juniper berries.
Swirl in the cold butter.

Slice the venison thinly (stir any juices into the sauce) and serve wtih 
the sauce, reheated if necessary.


mara

Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science (SCS) graciously hosts the Recipe Archive. We encourage you to learn about SCS educational programs and research.