Still a luxury item for most of us never the less there are some good reasons to treat ourselves once in a while, if you’re game? Low in fat, high in protein & often organic makes venison a very modern food, even the way most chefs cook has a lighter up to date approach. Modern venison is very tender thus it does not need more than about 3-4 days hanging. Because the hanging time has shortened, the idea of venison having a strong gamy taste has changed forever. Loin steaks come from the saddle are the best cut if you can get them. You only need to be about 5oz portions, I prefer to marinate the steaks in a 50/50 mix of olive oil & brandy.

2 x 125g (5oz) Venison Loin Steaks
4 Tbsp Olive oil
4 Tbsp Brandy
250 ml (1/2pint) Beef stock
1 Tbsp Tomato puree
1 Onion roughly chopped
1 Carrot roughly chopped
25g (1oz) Flour
25g (1oz) Butter
100g (4oz) mixed fresh raspberries, blackberries & blueberries
125ml (1/4pint) red wine
2 Portions of garlic mashed potatoes

1. Marinate the venison steaks in the brandy and olive oil and refrigerate over night.
2. Wipe a non-stick frying pan with a little oil then brown the onion & carrot on a high heat. Once brown remove from the heat.
3. Turn the heat to low then add 25g (1oz) of the butter and the flour and cook for several minutes until you have a smooth paste.
4. Now add the tomato puree; then gradually add the wine & stock stirring the sauce well after each addition of liquid to prevent lumps.
5. Simmer the sauce on medium heat until the vegetables are tender and you have a sauce consistency.
6. Strain the sauce through a fine mesh strainer into a clean saucepan, pushing the sauce through with a ladle or spoon.
7. Keep the sauce on a low heat and add the fresh berries and season with salt & pepper.
8. Heat a large non-stick frying pan then carefully place the venison steaks into the pan.
9. Brown all the sides of the steaks on a high heat then turn the heat down to a medium low and season with salt and pepper.
10. Cook for a further 5-6 minutes adding the remaining 25g (1oz) butter during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Bring the heat up on the sauce when you are about to serve.

To Serve
Allow the venison steaks to rest for 2-3 minutes then move to your plates and top with your Fruits of the Forest Sauce.