Venison and Spelt Casserole
As we approach the colder months, casseroles and stews are commonplace that use the best seasonal produce. This delicious hearty casserole is a simple one pot dish that combines organic venison, seasonal root vegetables and organic spelt grain from Sharpham Park, perfect for a cold autumnal evening.
Venison and Spelt Casserole
As we approach the colder months, casseroles and stews are commonplace that use the best seasonal produce. This delicious hearty casserole is a simple one pot dish that combines organic venison, seasonal root vegetables and organic spelt grain from Sharpham Park, perfect for a cold autumnal evening.
- Serves: 4
- Prepare: 15 Minutes
- Cook: 2 Hours
- Difficulty: medium
WHO ARE THE ORGANIC BUTCHERY?
Starting life as an organic farm in the heart of the West Country, The Organic Butchery is proudly founded on a long history of organic principles. We source the best quality organic grass-fed and wild meats, sustainable fish and organic free-range poultry from trusted local suppliers and like-minded brands to guarantee the highest standards of animal welfare and environmental stewardship. Our mission is to approach butchery with a whole-carcass perspective, to make the most of every animal that crosses our blocks, which means we offer you cuts that you will never see on the supermarket shelves.
WHAT IS ORGANIC VENISON?
Reared in an ancient parkland, the deer live a wild life, contributing to the maintenance of the park as they roam freely. While they are mainly grass-fed, they also supplement their diet with tree leaves, conkers and apples. Venison is one of the leanest meats you can get – it’s protein-rich and tastes absolutely delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 kilo venison haunch, diced
- 1 litre stout beer
- 500ml beef stock
- 500g, spinach
- 200g chantenay carrots, whole
- 200g button mushrooms, cut in half
- 200g brown onion, diced
- 200g celeriac, diced
- 200g swede, diced
- 150g spelt Grain
- 4 celery sticks, roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp tomato puree
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp dried rosemary
- 4 bay leaves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- olive oil
- flour
- salt, pepper (to season)
- 1 large butternut Squash, peeled and cubed
- 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped (optional)
- 200g pearled spelt
Method
- Using a sharp knife, prepare the vegetables for the dish. If you are using a whole venison haunch, instead of pre diced venison, cut into 1-inch pieces then coat in flour before placing to one side.
- Add 1 tbsp olive oil to a stock pot and transfer the venison to the pot. Brown the mea over a high heat before adding the vegetables, spelt grain and a pinch of salt and black pepper.
- Stir in the tomato puree, thyme and rosemary, ensuring the meat and vegetables are evenly coated. Add bay leaves and cinnamon sticks before pouring in the beef stock and stout beer. Place the lid on top and simmer for 2 hours. Alternatively, place in a preheated oven at 180c and cook for 2 hours. After 1 hour, give the casserole a stir to prevent burning and to check the level of the stock as it will start to reduce. Place the lid back on and return the casserole to the hob or oven for the remaining time.
- Peel and cube the butternut squash then place in a roasting tray. Drizzle with olive oil and mix in the chopped garlic. Place in oven at 180c and roast for 5 minutes. Boil the pearled spelt for 20 mins then drain and place to one side. Once the butternut squash has roasted, stir in the spelt and add a pinch of sea salt.
- Once cooked, remove from oven and extract bay leaves and cinnamon sticks. Stir in spinach and place the lid back on the pot to let the spinach wilt. Serve hot with butternut squash or sides of choices.
WHO ARE THE ORGANIC BUTCHERY?
Starting life as an organic farm in the heart of the West Country, The Organic Butchery is proudly founded on a long history of organic principles. We source the best quality organic grass-fed and wild meats, sustainable fish and organic free-range poultry from trusted local suppliers and like-minded brands to guarantee the highest standards of animal welfare and environmental stewardship. Our mission is to approach butchery with a whole-carcass perspective, to make the most of every animal that crosses our blocks, which means we offer you cuts that you will never see on the supermarket shelves.
WHAT IS ORGANIC VENISON?
Reared in an ancient parkland, the deer live a wild life, contributing to the maintenance of the park as they roam freely. While they are mainly grass-fed, they also supplement their diet with tree leaves, conkers and apples. Venison is one of the leanest meats you can get – it’s protein-rich and tastes absolutely delicious.
Frequently asked questions
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Typically, game meat is the flesh of land mammals or birds, that are hunted for food instead of being raised on a farm. Game meat includes, ‘small birds’ such as quail, ‘winged game’ such as woodcock, grouse or partridge, ‘ground game’ such as rabbit or hare and ‘large game’ such as venison.
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Most game is only available during the autumn and winter, during the shooting season, this is followed by the ‘closed season’ when shooting is no longer allowed, this is essential for protecting animals when they are breeding and rearing their young. However, some game does not have a ‘closed season’, these game meats include rabbit and pigeon. At Coombe Farm Organic we freeze our game meat, making it available to you the consumer all year round.
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Game meat is one of the healthiest meats available, it is very low in fat and cholesterol, generally higher in protein, and very lean as wild game are able to walk and roam freely, therefore not storing much fat.