Supplier Spotlight: Venison

August 17, 2018
by Rebecca Down The Fresh Faces

    We’re proud to work with Alliance – one of the finest protein providers for markets across the world. All of our venison is 100% grass-fed and reared on the rolling hills of New Zealand. I caught up with our supplier team to find out why venison is such a popular ingredient…

    So, what exactly is venison?

    Venison is a specific term commonly used today to describe game meat from deer but historically the word, derived from the Latin “venatio” (to hunt), was used to define meat eaten from hunted game animals and included elk, other cervids, and wild boar.

    Where is your venison sourced? 

    Our deers are reared in New Zealand where there is a vast amount of open space for them to roam freely. The wide open spaces and grass available means that all of our deer are reared on free-range farms without the use of hormones or steroids.

    Does venison taste different depending on where it has been reared?

    We rear Red Deer and Wapiti which are a type of species of deer as they produce a higher quality venison. Our venison has a more subtle, less “gamey” flavour compared to Wild Venison. We have a specific selection process that allows us to guarantee a consistently high yielding product that is raised naturally and tastes remarkable.

    Has venison grown in popularity? Why do you think this is?

    Yes, we’ve noticed a massive increase in popularity as people become more adventurous with their cooking as well as becoming more health conscious. Venison is low in fat, making it an ideal food to include in a healthy diet. In fact, a 100g portion of lean cooked venison leg steak contains just 1.7g fat; a 100g portion of lean cooked leg steak contains just 0.7g saturated fatty acids.

    Hello…Venison

    “This is an adaptation for a dish I created for my cooking college exam…” Chef Lizzie is telling me about the inspiration behind a very exciting recipe that is landing in your HelloFresh boxes next week. “It was like Ready, Steady, Cook – they just gave us a bunch of random ingredients and we were told to create a recipe in 40 minutes!” For the first time in HelloFresh history, we’re putting venison on the menu…

    Lean, rich and mildly gamey, our premium venison cuts come from leg steaks which mean they are really juicy and packed with flavour. If you’ve never given this delicious cut of meat a go, don’t be put off – you cook venison just as you would a beef steak (and don’t forget to rest it!). Our chefs have been working hard to create a recipe you can easily recreate at home as well as introducing you to new flavours and seasonal ingredients you might never have tried before. Paired with a fruity redcurrant jus, steamed kale and roasted butternut squash, our herb and Hazelnut Crusted Venison is a recipe you won’t be forgetting in a hurry.

    Got it in your boxes next week? Tell us what you think and share you #HelloFreshSnaps with us on social media!

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