Mary Berry Venison Casserole

Mary Berry's Venison Casserole is a luxurious dish that epitomizes the warmth and depth of traditional British cooking. This recipe, inspired by the culinary legend Mary Berry, is perfect for those cooler months, offering a hearty and soulful meal that combines the rich flavors of venison with aromatic herbs and vegetables in a velvety sauce. Here's how you can create this delightful dish in your own kitchen.

Mary Berry Venison Casserole: A Culinary Delight

Brief Description and Cultural Context The venison casserole is a quintessential British dish that showcases the best of rural cooking traditions. Venison, a staple of British countryside cuisine, is celebrated for its rich flavor and tender texture when cooked slowly. This dish, with its robust blend of red wine, root vegetables, and aromatic herbs, brings a luxurious twist to the dinner table, making it perfect for special occasions or a cozy family meal.

Ingredients List

• Venison (haunch or shoulder), diced into chunks - 3kg
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Butter - 50g
• Onions, diced - 3
• Garlic cloves, crushed - 5
• Smoked bacon rashers, chopped - 5
• Chestnut mushrooms, halved - 700g
• Red wine - ¾ bottle
• Redcurrant jelly - 4 tablespoons
• Water - 600ml
• Beef stock cubes, crumbled - 3
• Cornflour - 70g
• Freshly ground black pepper and salt
• For garnish: Rosemary or thyme sprigs and a large punnet of redcurrants

Preparation Instructions

1. Start by sautéing onions, garlic, and bacon in a mix of olive oil and butter until golden brown.
2. Brown the venison pieces separately, ensuring a rich flavor.
3. Combine all ingredients in a large casserole dish, including the chestnut mushrooms, and pour over the red wine and water mixture.
4. Add redcurrant jelly for a hint of sweetness, season, and let it simmer covered on low heat for about 2.5 hours.
5. Thicken the sauce with a cornflour paste and cook for an additional 30 minutes before garnishing.

Storage and Reheating

For storage, let the casserole cool down and then place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it can be kept for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm it in the oven or on the stove, adding a little water or stock to keep it moist.

Nutritional Information

A serving of Mary Berry's Venison Casserole provides approximately 450-550 calories, with 35-45g of protein, 15-25g of carbohydrates, and 20-30g of fat. This makes it a hearty and nutritious option, rich in high-quality protein and iron, beneficial for healthy nerve function and blood formation.

FAQ about Mary Berry Venison Casserole

• Can I use beef or lamb instead of venison? Yes, though venison's unique flavor is recommended, beef or lamb can be suitable substitutes.
• Is the red wine necessary? The red wine adds depth to the dish, but you can use additional stock if preferred.
• Can I add other vegetables? Feel free to include other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips to suit your taste.

This dish, perfect for a hearty family dinner, serves 6 to 8 people and takes about 3 hours to prepare, ensuring a tender and deeply flavorful meal. Enjoy it with mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, or crusty bread for a complete dining experience​​​​​​.