Venison Shepherd’s Pie By Sarah Stegall

Venison Shepherd’s Pie

By Sarah Stegall

3 pounds ground deer

10 medium to large potatoes

2 large onions

6-8 carrots

1 cup each of the following: peas, corn, asparagus, green beans

2 cups beef broth

Fresh churned butter

Salt and pepper

Chopped: parsley, basil, chives, and thyme to taste

First you hunt a deer according to state regulations, preferably killing it with a shot to its lungs to minimize internal damage. Immediately field dress the deer to preserve the meat. Turning the deer over to its side several times helps to loosen and remove organs during dressing. String the carcass up by its hind legs to bleed and skin it, starting at the hind legs and pulling skin down to neck. Remove head and legs below the knees with a saw, After the meat is butchered to cuts, take all remaining scraps that are usable and feed them through a meat grinder. When you have approximately three pounds, you can start preparing the dish.

Fetch from the garden fresh spices and vegetables. Scrub clean, removing all bugs, clumps of dirt, and chopping off parts not desired in the dish. Shelling peas is optional.

In a large pot, boil the potatoes whole or until tender enough to mash. While waiting on the potatoes, start cooking the carrots in a large pan, using a generous amount of butter. When they start to tenderize, add the onion, peas, corn, asparagus, and green beans. When vegetables are mostly tender, add in ground deer. Cook meat until no longer pink. Add in spices and broth and remove from heat.

Mash potatoes adding just enough butter to mash. You want them stiff. Season with salt and pepper. Stir the vegetables and meat mixture and transfer to a large baking dish. Top with potatoes, smoothing them over the whole mixture. Garnish with fresh spices, if desired, and bake until potatoes are golden brown, and dish is bubbling. Yield: 12 servings.


From "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles From 'Bryony'"

All proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. www.bbbswillgrundy.org.

Order the cookbook at www.bryonyseries.com.