Venison in blankets

The festive season calls for culinary indulgence, and what better way to celebrate your latest deer stalking day than with a dish inspired by your success? Venison in blankets is a hearty, seasonal twist on a classic, and it’s sure to impress.

First, you want to make your sausages! Here's a quick and easy recipe to get you started.

Ingredients:

• 1kg ground venison

• 300g pork fat (for moisture and flavour)

• 2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• ½ tsp ground nutmeg

• 50ml cold water

• Sausage casings (natural hog casings work best)

Method:

1. Prepare the Casings

   Soak the sausage casings in cold water for at least 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly to remove any salt.

2. Mix the Ingredients

   Combine the ground venison, pork fat, and all the seasonings in a large bowl. Add the cold water and mix well until the mixture becomes slightly sticky.

3. Stuff the Sausages

   Load the mixture into a sausage stuffer or use a piping bag with a wide nozzle. Carefully feed the casings onto the nozzle and fill them with the sausage mix, being mindful not to overstuff.

4. Form Links

Twist the filled casings into evenly sized links by pinching and twisting at regular intervals.

Next it's time to turn them into something festive. You've heard of 'pigs in blankets', well now's the time to try 'venison in blankets'.

Here's what you'll need.

Ingredients:

• 12 venison sausages (or homemade using ground venison)

• 12 rashers of streaky bacon

• Sprigs of fresh rosemary

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C.

2. Wrap each venison sausage in a rasher of streaky bacon, securing it with a toothpick if needed.

3. Place the sausages on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, ensuring they’re spaced apart.

4. Add a sprig of rosemary on top of each for added flavour.

5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the sausages are cooked through.

   
   

Serve them as a festive starter, part of your Christmas dinner, or a treat to warm up after a day in the field.

Ready to plan your next deer stalking experience or a team day on one of the UK’s finest estates? Get in touch with Nick Carter and Carter Outdoor Pursuits to make it happen.