Roast loin of venison with cranberries

8 Servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
2 eaches Thick slices of lemon
2 eaches Thick slices of orange
2 eaches Slices fresh ginger, peeled
1½ cup Sugar
1 small Bay leaf
2 cups Fresh cranberries
4 pounds Boneless loin of venison, at room temperature
2 tablespoons Olive oil
1 teaspoon Salt
1¼ teaspoon Freshly ground pepper
¾ teaspoon Juniper berries, finely chopped
2 cups Dry red wine
2 cups Beef or venison stock
2 tablespoons Cold butter, cut into pieces
Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish

Directions

In a medium nonreactive saucepan, combine the lemon, orange, ginger, sugar and bay leaf with 1 cup of cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to moderate and boil, uncovered, until syrupy, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the cranberries, then remove from heat and cool. Transfer the mixture to a glass container, coer and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days, stirring once or twice during that time. Preheat the oven to 400F. Rub the venison with the olive oil, ¾ teaspoon of the salt, 1 teaspoon of the pepper and ½ teaspoon of the chopped juniper berries, pressing the seasonings into the meat. Set the loin on a rack in a roasting pan and roast, basting frequently with the pan juices, until medium-rare (about 135F on a meat thermometer), 25 to 30 minutes.

Cover the venison loosely with foil and set aside for 10 to 15 minutes before carving. Meanwhile, remove and discard the bay leaf and the lemon, orange and ginger slices from the cranberries. In a food processor or blender, puree half the cranberries and half the liquid until smooth. In a medium nonreactive saucepan, boil the wine over high heat until reduced to ½ cup, about 5 mintues. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Add the cranberry puree, reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Strain the reamining whole cranberrie and add them to the sauce with the remaining ¼ teaspoon each of salt, pepper and chopped juniper berries. Swirl in the cold butter. Slice the venison thinly (stir any juices into the sauce) and serve wtih the sauce, reheated if necessary.

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