Showing posts with label game. Show all posts
Showing posts with label game. Show all posts

Saturday, 9 November 2024

Elevate Your Christmas Feast with Venison and Game

Christmas is a time for celebrating with family, friends, and, of course, delicious food. 

While many households stick to the traditional turkey or roast beef for their festive meal, there's something truly special about embracing a bit of culinary adventure. 

But this Christmas, why not consider adding a touch of tradition with a twist by serving venison or other game meat? 

Not only does it offer a rich and unique flavour profile, but it’s also a nod to classic British fare that can make your festive feast truly memorable.

Why Choose Venison or Game for Christmas?

Opting for venison or game meats, such as pheasant, wild duck, or partridge, can bring a sense of rustic elegance to your Christmas dinner. Game meats are often leaner, more flavourful, and packed with nutrients compared to more conventional meats. Plus, they have a distinctive taste that lends itself beautifully to hearty, festive dishes.

Here are some reasons why choosing game for your Christmas dinner is worth considering:

Rich, Deep Flavours: Venison and game meats have a rich, earthy flavour that pairs exceptionally well with seasonal ingredients like cranberries, chestnuts, and red wine.

Sustainability: Game meats are often more sustainable than farmed meats. Many game species are sourced from wild populations managed to ensure ecological balance, making them a more environmentally conscious choice.

Nutritional Benefits: Venison, for instance, is a fantastic source of lean protein, iron, and B vitamins. It’s lower in fat and cholesterol than traditional Christmas meats like turkey or goose.

Venison: The Star of the Show

If you’re looking for a main dish that will truly impress, venison is a fantastic option. This meat is both versatile and flavourful, lending itself to a variety of festive preparations. Whether roasted whole, slow-cooked, or served as steaks, venison pairs beautifully with seasonal spices and rich sauces.

Venison Roast Recipe Idea:

Ingredients: A venison haunch or loin, fresh rosemary, garlic cloves, olive oil, juniper berries, and a splash of red wine.

Instructions: Rub the venison with olive oil, crushed garlic, chopped rosemary, and ground juniper berries. Roast in the oven until medium-rare (about 20 minutes per pound at 180°C). Let it rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. Serve with a rich red wine gravy, roasted root vegetables, and cranberry sauce for a festive finish.

Pro Tip: Marinate the meat overnight in a mixture of red wine, garlic, and herbs to enhance its flavour and tenderness.

A Festive Game Feast: Pheasant, Wild Duck, and Partridge

If you want to offer something different but still keep it traditional, consider incorporating a selection of game birds. These smaller birds are perfect for a more intimate Christmas dinner or can be served alongside a larger roast to offer guests a variety of flavours.

Roasted Pheasant: Pheasant has a mild game flavour that’s perfect for those new to game meats. Try roasting it with butter, thyme, and a drizzle of honey for a golden, crispy skin. Serve with bread sauce, Brussels sprouts, and roasted potatoes for a truly British Christmas experience.

Braised Wild Duck: For a richer, more decadent option, wild duck is a fantastic choice. Braising the duck with orange zest, star anise, and a splash of port creates a sweet and tangy sauce that cuts through the richness of the meat.

Stuffed Partridge: Partridge is tender and subtly flavoured, making it ideal for stuffing. Consider a stuffing mix of sausage, apple, chestnuts, and sage for a festive twist. Bake until golden, and serve with a rich game jus.

Side Dishes and Accompaniments

Game meats pair exceptionally well with hearty, seasonal sides that celebrate the winter harvest. Here are some ideas to complement your Christmas game feast:

Red Cabbage with Apples: Slow-cooked red cabbage with apples, cinnamon, and a splash of balsamic vinegar adds a sweet and tangy contrast to rich game meats.

Celeriac Mash: Swap out traditional mashed potatoes for creamy celeriac mash for a nutty, earthy flavour.

Cranberry and Port Sauce: This rich sauce works beautifully with venison and game birds, adding a festive sweetness to the dish.

Wine Pairing Suggestions

Choosing the right wine can elevate your Christmas game meal to new heights. Game meats often pair well with full-bodied red wines that can stand up to their robust flavours.

Venison: Opt for a rich, tannic wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, or Malbec.

Pheasant: Try a lighter red such as Pinot Noir or a classic French Burgundy.

Wild Duck and Partridge: Pair with a fruit-forward wine like a Zinfandel or a Merlot, which balances the richness of the meat.

Tips for Cooking Game

Cooking game can seem intimidating if you’ve never done it before, but with a few tips, you’ll be serving up a succulent, show-stopping Christmas dinner:

Don’t Overcook It: Game meats, particularly venison, are leaner than beef or lamb. To prevent it from becoming tough, aim for a medium-rare finish.

Rest the Meat: Allow your roast to rest after cooking so the juices redistribute, ensuring a tender and juicy result.

Use Bold Flavours: Game meats can handle strong herbs and spices, so don’t be shy with ingredients like juniper, thyme, and rosemary.

Wrapping Up: A Festive Feast to Remember

This Christmas, why not break with tradition and surprise your family and friends with a feast centred around venison or game? Not only will it make for a memorable meal, but it’s also a wonderful way to bring a touch of heritage and elegance to your festive table.

Whether you choose a tender venison roast or a succulent pheasant dish, serving game at Christmas is a celebration of flavour, tradition, and the spirit of the season. With the right preparation and accompaniments, you’ll create a festive meal that’s sure to become a cherished Christmas tradition.

My wife and I have tried game meats before, we are probably going with the more traditional options of turkey or beef.

However, we are wishing you a Christmas filled with warmth, joy, and delicious food!

Sunday, 9 October 2011

The Tanooki Power-Up Returns For Super Mario’s Latest Adventures on Nintendo 3DS

The Super Leaf returns in SUPER MARIO 3D LAND and, for the first time, in Mario Kart 7 exclusive to Nintendo 3DS.

Mario is back and ready to take over your Nintendo 3DS™ this Christmas. Mario stars in not one but two exciting new Nintendo 3DS games when SUPER MARIO 3D LAND™ and Mario Kart™ 7 launch across Europe on 18th November and 2nd December respectively. Both games are exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS and both feature classic Mario action including a return of the classic Tanooki power-up.

SUPER MARIO 3D LAND, features a unique mix of classic and brand new Mario gameplay. Princess Peach is in trouble once again; Bowser has kidnapped her and there is only one man who can save the day.

SUPER MARIO 3D LAND mixes traditional elements of side-scrolling Mario titles like Super Mario Bros.™ 3 (NES™) and New Super Mario Bros.™ (DS), with newer 3D platforming action as seen in 3D Mario titles such as Super Mario Galaxy™ (Wii™). SUPER MARIO 3D LAND offers game play that every Mario player can easily get into as well as challenges for the biggest Mario experts. Can you make it to the Goal Pole in one piece?

Get ready to master a mixture of new and classic abilities on your quest through the Mushroom Kingdom, as the fan-favourite Tanooki Suit returns in SUPER MARIO 3D LAND. By getting a brown Super Leaf, Mario slips into his cute and furry Tanooki Suit giving him the ability to glide in mid air as well as perform a tail attack. You will also have fun mastering the many other abilities from the Propeller Box which makes Mario fly high in the air and the Fire Flower that allows Mario to throw fireballs at enemies.

Look out for special binoculars placed in certain stages and use them to shift perspective to first person, controlled by motion control, you can scout ahead in stages to spot enemies, obstacles and hidden options.

Mario Kart 7 is the latest instalment in the fan-favourite Mario Kart franchise and brings exciting 3D kart action to the palm of your hand. Drivers can explore all new competitive kart possibilities, on big jumps your kart will deploy a Glider to let you fly over the track, or speed over sea floor as you race underwater. Mastering these abilities will allow you to find shortcuts and beat your opponents to the finish line.

Classic items return and some new power-ups appear for the first time in Mario Kart 7. Fans of the Tanooki power-up will be glad to hear that the Super Leaf makes an appearance in this latest instalment giving you both offensive and defensive abilities. Use your Tanooki tail to both protect you from incoming shells and to whip opponents off the track.

Show off your style by customising your vehicle to give you a competitive advantage on the track. For example, some tyres will help you to drive off-road when the course gets rough while other tyres help you on the smoother city circuits.

All the classic Mushroom Kingdom characters return along with some new characters like Metal Mario and Lakitu, but if you would like to jump into the fun, then why not race as your Mii™ character? Challenge your friends in local wireless matches or online over a wireless internet connection while you try to master the new courses.

Share Ghost Data with people you encounter via StreetPass™ and register those you meet to challenge them online. You can also download Ghost Data from across the world via SpotPass™ to test your global karting skills.

There is a course suited to every driving style, from wild rides over a mountain road to city streets and dusty deserts. Fans might recognise new courses on Wuhu Island and in the jungles from Donkey Kong™ Country Returns.

SUPER MARIO 3D LAND and Mario Kart 7 will be available exclusively for Nintendo 3DS across Europe from 18th November and 2nd December respectively.

For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.co.uk.


(EDITOR: An ideal Christmas present for the gamer in your life!)