“Braised” the step by step instructions for making the toughest cuts mouthwatering tender!

On any animals, the legs, shanks, and shoulders have the worst reputation for being tough, stringy, chewy, full of tendons and basically, only thought of as usable for grind or the soup pot.  But when cooked properly, these cuts can be transformed into a flavorful showstopper!  My favorite way is to use a low and slow method of OVEN BRAISING these cuts.  The work is minimal, and … [Read more...]

Port Red Wine Braised Venison Shanks with Mushroom Sauce, Asiago Polenta and Sautéed Kale

Do you think the shank meat is best suited for the grind pile because it's not good for anything else? Well, after a long slow braise, the tough, stringy, sinewy shanks are fork tender, and full of flavor.  This dish is reminiscent of the Italian countryside when paired with creamy asiago polenta, and kale.    … [Read more...]

Venison and Wild Pig Bolognese with Homemade Potato Gnocchi

Chunky scraps of wild game gently braised in tomatoes and milk create a fabulous sauce for homemade gnocchi.  For years I've been working on my jinx of all recipes... gnocchi. You'd think something with just three ingredients can't be tough to do, but I'll tell you, gnocchi is more about technique than ingredient driven.  Each time I make gnocchi, I feel myself getting closer to that … [Read more...]