To many readers these days, moose might be a bit of an exotic wild game meat. With few exceptions, it can be tough to come by. Like venison, moose is a very lean meat – in fact, it’s one of the leanest meats out there. To make the meatballs juicier and improve the texture, Taste of the Wild contributor, Ryan Lisson, shares some tips.
Most people tend to think of a woodcock as an appetizer – they’re not very big birds, after all. But when you prepare the breasts and legs, two woodcock make a hearty meal. The breast meat is very dark, while the legs are light and delicate. It might look off-putting to some, but leaving the feet and legs attached provides a convenient handle to grip while cooking and eating. If you had the patience to pluck the whole bird, this method of preparation would also work great.
Tacos are a great summer crowd-pleaser because each person can adjust the fixings to suit their taste buds. The simple chimichurri sauce adds a ton of fresh herby flavors and a zing of acidity by itself. But some other great toppings that work with this recipe include grilled onions, pico de gallo, avocado, a good crumbly cheese (e.g., queso fresco, cotija), or corn salsa. It’s the perfect summer meal to use up some of last fall’s venison and impress your friends.
Technically, a true Shepherd’s pie is supposed to contain lamb meat, while cottage pie generally uses another meat (e.g., beef). But venison is very lean and similar to lamb in several ways, so I’m stealing the name. The nice thing about this recipe is that you can tweak the ingredients based on your family’s preferences, and it turns out great with nearly any combination (we’ve tried many). You can add or subtract vegetables, mix beef and venison together, and use real mashed potatoes or instant versions – it all works.
Utilizing a variety of game meat to fill a crust for a savory meat pie, this recipe taps venison and ruffed grouse, but you can use pheasants, ducks, cottontails/hares, squirrels, wild boar, and even pigeons.
There’s something about spending time outdoors and walking into the house to smell the aroma of a delicious stew simmering in the slow cooker. This venison shank stew recipe by Ryan Lisson will be sure to hit the spot, whether you’re battling cabin fever, or spending time enjoying spring weather across the northland.
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