Are you wild about blueberries? I know Frederick is. He’s so much in love with blueberries that he always craves to have blueberries after dinner. I always call him the blueberry monster at home and everytime I purchase blueberries, I have to hide 1 extra bag for myself. Otherwise, I won’t be able to bake muffin, cookies, or anything I plan to have. Speaking of which, here’s a delicious recipe that you don’t want to miss from Wild Bluberry.
Wild Blueberries: Seasonal Sensation
The Wild About Health! blog originates, fittingly, in the land of wild blueberries. It’s here in Maine and Eastern Canada that over 200 million pounds of wild blueberries are harvested during late summer. Some are eaten fresh, but most are frozen, at their peak of taste and nutrition, so we can enjoy them all year long. Their wild nature means they are exclusive to our area – only the “wild” blueberry grows here. Wild are distinct from cultivated berries in size, taste, and in their uniquely powerful antioxidant properties that are heralded for their anti-aging and disease prevention potential.
Here in wild blueberry country, we feel a special connection to this exceptional fruit for many reasons, but one is certainly their culinary contributions. They are celebrated in desserts, breakfasts, entrées, snacks and drinks – so much so that we are constantly reminded of chefs’ affinity for the local berry in restaurants here and across the country: using wild means more berries in every bite and more variety of sweet, tart and jammy tastes. And, they are notoriously easy to work with in their frozen-at-peak state.
We’re pleased to be able to share with you one palate-pleasing way we’ve put wild blues to work, right on time for the season.
Venison & Wild Blueberries: Wildly Powerful Pairing
Here in New England and Canada, hunting season has (or will soon) come to close, and venison has already begun to makes its debut on menus at home and in area restaurants. As a result, we’re particularly high on this venison dish: it shows off a flavorful pairing in a seasonal entrée.
Wild blueberries create an ideal flavor profile for all types of meats and seafood. Proteins come to life when complemented by a bright, tangy sauce, and wild blueberries fit the bill due to their particularly complex flavor – the resulting combination is exquisite. Even avid sportsmen admit that the secret of these Venison Medallions with Sautéed Apple Slices and Wild Blueberry Sauce is in the sauce, which combines red wine, beef broth, garlic, onion and currant jelly. At 414 calories a serving, it’s a healthy dish (venison is particularly low in saturated fat) that serves up the comforts of home.
Venison Medallions with Sautéed Apple Slices & Wild Blueberry Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ bunch of thyme
- 1 ½ pounds saddle of venison
- 1 ½ tablespoons clarified butter
- salt and pepper
- 2 red apples
Sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons onion, minced
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 cup rich beef broth
- ¾ cup frozen Wild Blueberries
- ¼ cup currant jelly
Preparation
- Sauté onions and garlic in drippings adding more butter if needed. Season with salt and pepper and let simmer for 5 minutes. Add wine and beef broth and reduce to 1 cup. Add frozen Wild Blueberries and current jelly. Simmer, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
- Pluck thyme leaves from stem. Wash venison, pat dry and cut into 12 equally sized medallions. Fix with skewers. Heat 1 tablespoon of clarified butter in skillet. Sear medallions from all sides 3-4 minutes Season with salt and pepper. Remove medallions from pan, keep them warm.
- Wash apples and rub dry. Remove cores with corer and cut into slices. Heat ½ tablespoon clarified butter and sear the apple slices in it, cook about 3 minutes. Serve venison medallions, apple slices and Wild Blueberry sauce. Garnish with thyme leaves. Serves 4.
Care to heighten the enjoyment? Complete the meal with this fabulous Black Forest Wild Blueberry Gateau if you like, or check out other uniquely delicious recipes at WildBlueberries.
About the Wild About HealthThe Wild Blueberry Association of North America is a trade association of growers and processors of Wild Blueberries from Maine, Quebec and Eastern Canada, dedicated to bringing the Wild Blueberry health story and unique Wild Advantages to consumers and the trade worldwide. By creating the Wild About Health blog, we aim to broaden the conversation about nutrition, wellness, healthy aging, disease prevention, and how nutritious foods like wild blueberries can enhance our lives, our health and our plates.
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