Vanilla Roe Deer with Knoedl and Blueberry Sauce

This time of the year calls for some special, heart-warming food. And traditionally, it is also the time for game dishes. This one is one of my all-time favourites, and is always good for a random round of applause, especially if you have dear guests at your table.


Yes, I know, I was sloppy with the sauce. Promise I´ll be better next time. But that surely didn´t hurt the taste. The roe deer is seared in vanilla butter, which adds a nice, warm flavour to the meet. The knoedl are ideal to soak up the wonderful sauce, made of game stock, red wine and blueberries. I´ve tried two different ways of serving this time. Let me know which one you like better!

Recipe for Vanilla Roe Deer with Knoedl and Blueberry Sauce


Ingredients for 2
1 strip of roe deer (roast saddle)
knob of butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
fleur de sel
6 slices of white bread
1 egg
milk as needed
1 onion, diced
parsley, chopped
salt and pepper
200ml game stock
200ml red wine
2 tablespoons sugar
100g fresh blueberries


Preparation

1. Prepare roe deer. Do NOT season.
2. Preheat oven to 120°C (convection).
   
3. Heat butter in a pan. Sear deer from all sides.
   
4. Pour over vanilla essence. Remove meet from pan, wrap in aluminium foil, and place in the oven on a grill rack. Cook for 20 minutes.
5. Cut bread into cubes.
   
6. In another pan, heat more butter. Sear onion until golden. Add parsley. Remove from heat.
   
7. Whisk egg with a sip of milk.
8. Add onion and milk to the bread cubes. Knead thoroughly. If needed, add more milk or breadcrumbs until you get a nice dough. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
9. Place dough on Saran wrap. Mould into a roll. Wrap ends tightly.
10. Cover in two layers of aluminium foil.
11. Bring water to a boil and lower heat to low.
12. Add knoedl roll and let simmer for 20 minutes.
13. Quench the deer pan with game stock and red wine. Reduce to 1/3.
14. Add sugar, and five minutes before serving, add blueberries.
15. To serve, remove knoedl from pot and unwrap. Cut into slices, and arrange as base.
16. Remove meet from the oven, cut diagonally into two pieces, and set atop.
17. Drizzle with blueberry sauce.

Guten Appetit! Enjoy your meal! Bon Appétit!