Make my wife a convert

[Jh1986]

So my wife disagrees with shooting poor Bambi. She's happy to eat supermarket meat that probably goes through all sorts of ill treatment, but she's so far removed from the process that she doesn't think about it.

Anyway, last outing was the first time I've shot a deer and actually opted to take home some meat. This Monday I've finally got her to agree to trying some Fallow back strap. She's open to being converted.

Hit me with your best recipes.

 

[Tim.243]

So my wife disagrees with shooting poor Bambi. She's happy to eat supermarket meat that probably goes through all sorts of ill treatment, but she's so far removed from the process that she doesn't think about it.

Anyway, last outing was the first time I've shot a deer and actually opted to take home some meat. This Monday I've finally got her to agree to trying some Fallow back strap. She's open to being converted.

Hit me with your best recipes.

Cook it to how she likes the supermarket meat. can't go wrong

 

[Tazz]

So my wife disagrees with shooting poor Bambi. She's happy to eat supermarket meat that probably goes through all sorts of ill treatment, but she's so far removed from the process that she doesn't think about it.

Anyway, last outing was the first time I've shot a deer and actually opted to take home some meat. This Monday I've finally got her to agree to trying some Fallow back strap. She's open to being converted.

Hit me with your best recipes.

The only thing that most of us on here and Chris Packham agree on is there are way too many deer in the U.K. and their numbers need to be dramatically reduced, she may be a fan of his

 

[VSS]

Best way to start the conversion process would be to cook familiar meals such as bolognese, chilli con carne or lasagne, but using venison mince.

Starting her off with loin steaks (what you've called "backstrap") might be a step too far too soon, as it's going to taste very "deery".

 

[shakey jake]

thick steak, really good sear after allowing to warm to room temp, medium at most, baste with butter. simple veg on the side and home made chips. deent bottle of red.
venison loin doesnt need fancy recipes

 

[Rake Aboot]

Mince it with some streaky bacon
Mix in a lamb casserole mix and serve her mint burgers with all the trimmings

She’ll come round

 

[Hambone]

Cut the backstraps into slices (about 1" thick) then lightly season with salt and pepper or a ready mixed one ( Rajah all purpose is good) then just hot fry in butter/olive oil mix. Take your time removing all the silver skin if its her first go at venison.

 

[FISH BOY]

Backstrap - 3 minutes a side on a hot pan with a bit of butter. Serve with chips.

My kids devour it.

 

[scotch_egg]

Chilli with ketchup manis added as the secret ingredient.

 

[RM100]

My wife was the same, now she has realised the value of traceable organic meat…she makes a lovely curry with it, the freezer is starting to have room again!

 

[Donkey Basher]

Cook it like it’s fillet steak.

Trim all the sinew off it & cut into 5” or so long pieces.

Leave to stand at room temperature then dry off with some kitchen towel.

Rub with olive oil (infused with garlic if you like) & a good grind of black pepper & sea salt.

Sear in a hot pan (griddle or frying pan) - make sure you do all sides & both ends to seal properly then cook with butter or garlic butter spooned over it till medium rare.

Wrap in tin foil with garlic butter on top & allow to stand for 10 mins.

Can either be served as is or sliced for presentation.

Serve with whatever veg you prefer - chips, sauté potatoes, new potatoes, dauphinois etc, steamed veg, roasted Mediterranean veg etc - you get the idea.

A good sauce will also help - peppercorn, mushroom, whatever she likes on a steak normally.

If the carcass has been properly hung in a chiller for a week then you shouldn’t get a ‘Deery’ taste to it with fallow.

You could also try marinading it before cooking too if you’re a bit worried about the taste.

We had a loin off a fallow fawn (late born this year) & you could have cut it with the back of a spoon, it was fantastic!!

The key to it in my opinion is how the carcass is looked after from when it hits the grass to when it gets butchered.

 

[WH308]

I agree with @VSS, mince & burgers are definitely a more approachable first foray into venison.

 

[JockStalk]

If it has to be fillet first then a good, simple fruit sauce. Cook fillet to preference. Deglaze pan with red wine and add a tablespoon of morello cherry jam, or bramble jam, or fresh brambles and 30ml port to sweeten.
Getting a glass or two of wine into the Mrs first might also help

 

[Jh1986]

Getting a glass or two of wine into the Mrs first might also help

Help what?

 

[Dave31]

Agreed with cook like a good fillet steak. I'd recommend a pan sauce with it.

Whilst the steaks are resting use the juices and butter that remain in the pan, mix a tablespoon or so of plain flour in to make a reux. One the raw flour smell has gone deglaze with red wine and some stock. Mix in a good dollop of a good jam. Something like black current or a red current jelly. Salt and pepper to taste.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Do your normal bbq with her usual selection of mass-produced stuff but add a roe hind leg simply well sprinkled with salt and pepper. Do not overcook it - treat as best fillet! When all is ready put a couple of slices on her plate with the other meat and wait for the inevitable “Oooh that was really nice - is it from our local butcher/Tesco/Asda/ etc….?”.
Try not to look too smug when you respond - maybe best from a distance, or even a text….

 

[paul o']

In 1984 my to be wife asked what do you think when you shoot a deer My reply was Walt Disney ! she looked ???
I said well I say to myself "Mother"" !!

 

[Puds]

Starting her off with loin steaks (what you've called "backstrap") might be a step too far too soon, as it's going to taste very "deery".

That does my head in, it’s those bloody yanks up to no good again

 

[EssexBigMac]

Why tell them? I’ve converted every family member and friend who has come over for a meal.
Want some mince? Yes!
Want some meatballs? Yes!
Want some steak? Yes!
Want a roast? Yes!
Want winter stew? Yes!
Some salt, pepper and spices and no one even knows the difference

 

[potshotpat]

Starve her for a week.