My Ras el Hanout spice blend contains 28 ingredients, and I've included the list and method for making your own "k'meesa"(aka "secret stash"). But If you're not up to purchasing and creating the spice blend, African, Middle Eastern and other specialty grocery stores will have bags of Ras el Hanout already mixed. Williams-Sonoma has good one too! … [Read more...]
This dish is a version of an Indian dish called Murgh Makhani (Butter Chicken). In my version, I first braised the pheasant with Indian spices and then added heavy cream, toasted cashews and melted butter to finish cooking the pheasant in a creamy, slightly spicy sauce. The result was a creamy, sweet, spicy, tender pheasant!! I served the teetar makhani with jasmine rice and an Indian bread called … [Read more...]
Traditionally used for braised duck legs or pork belly, the red cooking broth imparts a distinctively Chinese flavor to these venison shanks. This “red cooking stock” has several Chinese spices, as well as a touch of rock sugar and sherry to create a salty-sweet-spicy braising liquid for slow braised venison shanks. Make a double batch of the red cooking stock and freeze half to use for whatever … [Read more...]
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...]
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...]
I've modified this dish from a Sous Vide recipe for those of you who don't have access to a water oven, or immersion circulator. I loved this dish so much that I didn't want to limit who could try it. The texture will be slightly different, and searing the meat is done before braising, not after, but the flavor rocks!! I've used the photo for the sous vide recipe, so yours will look … [Read more...]
